Identifying Forces

plqaokws

If you were sitting at rest on the moon, what forces would be present?

I know that there is a weight force, and maybe a normal force...
Thank you

mgb_phys

Exactly the same forces as sitting on the Earth (neglecting air effects) - except with less gravity.

plqaokws

How much force does an 50 kg astronaut exert while sitting at rest?

I would assume 0 N since he is not moving but I'm not too certain....

mgb_phys

He still has weight acting downwards.
Remember don't think about space and astronauts - he is a mass sitting on a planet, just one with a smaller 'g' there is nothing different about space.

'g' for the moon depends on both the smaller mass of the moon and it's smaller diameter - it's roughly 1/6 the value on earth.