Problem 4.55 Lunar blast-off. An astronaut who is weighing himself inside of a r

Question

Problem 4.55 Lunar blast-off.

An astronaut who is weighing himself inside of a rocket blasting off from the moon with an upward acceleration of 1.26 m/s2 records a scale reading of 187 N . The acceleration due to gravity on the moon is 1.67 m/s2 . Start with a free-body diagram of the astronaut.

Part A

What is the mass of this astronaut?

SubmitMy AnswersGive Up

Part B

What would he weigh standing on the surface of the earth?

SubmitMy AnswersGive Up

Part C

What would he weigh standing on the surface of the moon?

Problem 4.55 Lunar blast-off.

An astronaut who is weighing himself inside of a rocket blasting off from the moon with an upward acceleration of 1.26 m/s2 records a scale reading of 187 N . The acceleration due to gravity on the moon is 1.67 m/s2 . Start with a free-body diagram of the astronaut.

Part A

What is the mass of this astronaut?

m = kg

SubmitMy AnswersGive Up

Part B

What would he weigh standing on the surface of the earth?

wE = N

SubmitMy AnswersGive Up

Part C

What would he weigh standing on the surface of the moon?

wM = N

Explanation / Answer

normal force N=187 N

acceleration due to gravity on the moon g=1.67 m/sec^2

acceleraion of the astronaut a=1.26 m/sec^2

now,

A)

force on astronaut is,

m*a=N-m*g

===>

m=N/(a+g)

m=187/(1.26+1.67)=63.82 kg

mass of the astronaut is, m=63.82 kg

B)

weight on the earth,

w=m*g

=63.82*9.8

=625.44 N

C)

weight on the moon,

w=m*g

=63.82*1.6

=102.112 N

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse P
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.