Question

The weight of an object above the surface of the earth varies inversely with the square of its distance to the center of the earth. If an object weighs 50 pounds when it is 3960 miles from the center of the earth, what would its weight be when it is 3975 miles from the center of the earth?

Answer 1

Answer:

W = K m / R^2    expresses weight of ojject

W2 / W1 = (R1 / R2)^2        ratio of W2 to W1

W2 = W1 * (3960 / 3975)^2 = 50 * .992 = 49.62 lbs