The acceleration due to gravity on Mercury is 3 point 7 the fraction with numerator m and denominator s squared , which is about six times the acceleration due to gravity on Pluto. Which statement accurately compares the mass and weight of an object on these two planets?
Answer
A
An object weighs the same but has about one-sixth the mass on Pluto as on Mercury.
B
An object weighs about one-sixth as much but has the same mass on Pluto as on Mercury.
C
An object weighs about one-sixth as much and has about one-sixth the mass on Pluto as on Mercury.
D
An object weighs the same and has the same mass on Pluto as on Mercury.
Explanation
Mass does not change when an object moves from one planet to another. Weight depends on gravitational acceleration: since Mercury’s gravity is about six times Pluto’s, the object weighs about one-sixth as much on Pluto as on Mercury. Therefore, the correct statement is that it weighs about one-sixth as much but has the same mass on Pluto.
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