A student of mass stands on a spring balance that is calibrated to read force in newtons.
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Force and Translational Dynamics · Force and Translational Dynamics
Problem
A student of mass 50kg stands on a spring balance that is calibrated to read force in newtons.
(i) Calculate the reading of the balance when the student is at rest on the Earth\,(take g=9.8m/s2).
(ii) The same balance is carried to the Moon where g=1.62m/s2. What reading will it show for the student there?
(iii) Using your answers to parts (i) and (ii), determine the student’s mass in each case and comment on whether mass changes with location.
(iv) Give one reason for the difference, if any, between the two balance readings obtained in parts (i) and (ii).