Medium
An astronaut has a mass of 60 kg on Earth. The gravity on the Moon is one-sixth of that on Earth. Taking g = 10 m/s² on Earth, what are the astronaut's mass and weight on the Moon?
Explanation
Explanation
Step 1: Mass is the quantity of matter in a body. It does not change from place to place, so the mass stays 60 kg on the Moon.
Step 2: Weight on Earth = m × g = 60 × 10 = 600 N.
Step 3: Moon's gravity = 10 ÷ 6 ≈ 1.67 m/s², so weight on the Moon = 600 ÷ 6 = 100 N.
Step 4: Remember: mass is constant, weight changes with g.
Answer: Mass 60 kg and weight 100 N.
PRO TIP
Re-check your working by substituting the answer back into the original question.