What is the weight of a 68 kg astronaut on Earth?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the weight of an astronaut who has a mass of 68 kg when subjected to Earth's gravitational pull. To find weight, we will use the formula: weight = mass × gravity, where gravity on Earth is approximately 9.81 m/s².
Answer
$666.48 \, \text{N}$
Answer for screen readers
The weight of the astronaut is $666.48 , \text{N}$ (Newtons).
Steps to Solve
- Identify the known values
We know the mass of the astronaut and the acceleration due to gravity on Earth:
- Mass ($m$) = 68 kg
- Gravity ($g$) = 9.81 m/s²
- Use the weight formula
The weight ($W$) can be calculated using the formula:
$$ W = m \times g $$
- Substitute the known values
Substituting the known values into the formula gives us:
$$ W = 68 , \text{kg} \times 9.81 , \text{m/s}^2 $$
- Calculate the weight
Now, multiply the values:
$$ W = 666.48 , \text{N} $$
The weight of the astronaut is $666.48 , \text{N}$ (Newtons).
More Information
Weight is a force measured in Newtons, and it depends on both mass and the gravitational pull acting on an object. The value of gravity can vary slightly depending on altitude or location, but 9.81 m/s² is the average value for Earth's surface.
Tips
- Forgetting to include units when performing the calculations can lead to confusion.
- Confusing weight with mass; weight is a force and is dependent on gravity, while mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object.
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