The planet Mars has a mass of and a mean radius of
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
The planet Mars has a mass of 6.4×1023kg and a mean radius of 3.4×106m. A student of mass 40kg is standing on its surface.
(i) State the mathematical relation connecting the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of a celestial body with its mass and radius.
(ii) Using the above data, calculate the value of the acceleration due to gravity on Mars. Give your answer correct to two decimal places.
(iii) Determine the weight of the student on the surface of Mars.
(iv) By what factor is the student’s weight on Mars less than his weight on Earth? Take the value of acceleration due to gravity on Earth as 9.8m/s2.