In: Physics
In preparation for this problem, review Conceptual Example 7. A space traveler whose mass is 101 kg leaves earth. What are his (a) weight and (b) mass on earth and (c) weight and (d) mass in interplanetary space where there are no nearby planetary objects?
a) Weight is nothing but the force of attraction exerted by a mass on another mass. The equation for weight is F =mg where m is the mass of the body and which is a constant everywhere unless we are considering it as a relative particle. A relative particles mass will change with its velocity and since non relativistic particles has very low velocity comparing to velocity of light we will neglect the change in mass of non relativistic particles. So the weight of particle on earth is W =mg here g is the acceleration due to gravity and for earth g=9.8m/s²
Therefore w=101*9.8 = 989. 8 N
b) Since mass is constant everywhere mass of the space traveler on earth is 101kg
c) In the interplanetary space, they are saying there is no nearby planets so the space traveler will not experience any kind of attractive force and hence his weight is zero there.
d) Since the mass is constant everywhere, it is constant in interplanetary space also. So the mass of space traveler in interplanetary space is 101kg.