Question

A 10.0 kilogram mass of iron on earth exerts a downward force of 98 Newtons. On the moon this same 10.0 kilograms of iron is weighed and found to exert a downward force 16.3 Newtons. How is this possible ?

Answer 1

Answer: D) The gravity on the moon is one sixth the gravity of Earth.  

Explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

The decrease in the downward force that a mass of iron can exert on the moon versus the force it exerts on earth is due to:

• The force of gravity on Earth is greater than the force of gravity on the moon.

Explanation:

To recognize the calculation within the statement, you must know that the Newton unit is equal to:

• Newton = (Kilogram * meter) / second ^ 2

And that the gravities of the Earth and the Moon are:

• Earth gravity = 9.807 m / s ^ 2
• Moon gravity = 1.63 m / s ^ 2

Finally, you must know the force formula (since we are talking about a descending force):

• Force = mass * acceleration (gravity is a measure of acceleration)

Since the mass in both cases is the same (10 kilograms), the variation in acceleration will provide different values of descending force, as shown below, replacing the values:

1. Downward force on Earth = 10 Kg * 9,807 m / s ^ 2 = 98.07 Kg * m / s ^ 2 = 98.07 Newtons.
2. Downward force on the Moon = 10 Kg * 1.63 m / s ^ 2 = 16.3 Kg * m / s ^ 2 = 16.3 Newtons.

As you can see, when it comes to force, the less acceleration (in this case less gravity), the lower the downward force will be with a mass of equal weight.