Gravity force on Jupiter problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the mass and weight of a watermelon on Jupiter's moon Io, where the acceleration due to gravity is 1.81 m/s². The weight of the watermelon on Earth is given as 49.0 N, leading to the conclusion that its mass is 4.99 kg on Earth. The correct mass on Io is derived using the formula F = m * a, resulting in a mass of 27.07 kg, which was initially miscalculated. The key takeaway is that mass remains constant regardless of location, while weight varies with gravitational acceleration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Second Law (F = m * a)
  • Knowledge of gravitational acceleration values (e.g., 9.81 m/s² for Earth, 1.81 m/s² for Io)
  • Basic concepts of mass versus weight
  • Ability to perform unit conversions and calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the gravitational forces on other celestial bodies, such as Mars and the Moon
  • Learn about the differences between mass and weight in physics
  • Explore applications of Newton's laws in real-world scenarios
  • Study the effects of varying gravitational forces on different objects
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching gravitational concepts, and anyone interested in the physical properties of celestial bodies.

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At the surface of Jupiter's moon Io, the acceleration due to gravity is 1.81m/s^2 . A watermelon has a weight of 49.0N at the surface of the earth. In this problem, use 9.81m/s^2 for the acceleration due to gravity on earth


1.) What is its mass on the surface of Io?

2.) What is its weight on the surface of Io?

working on #1, F=m*a

F = m * 1.81

all we really know is (a) of Io. but we do know the force(49.0N) of earth, how would i convert that to the forces of Io?
 
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Your mass, my mass, mass of object x, etc. is going to be the same whether you're on the Earth, the moon, Io, etc. It is the weight that changes depending on your location's acceleration due to gravity.

As it stands you have enough info to solve for the mass of the watermelon on Earth...
 
underthebridge said:
Your mass, my mass, mass of object x, etc. is going to be the same whether you're on the Earth, the moon, Io, etc. It is the weight that changes depending on your location's acceleration due to gravity.

As it stands you have enough info to solve for the mass of the watermelon on Earth...

yes, but I am not trying to solve for the mass of the watermelon on earth, that was another question, but i already got the answer. it's 4.99 kg

im trying to solve for the mass on the surface of Io. here's what i done:

F= m*a
49 = m*1.81
m = 27.07kg
that's the mass of Io that i got, but it's the wrong answer.
 
And what I'm telling you is the mass of the watermelon doesn't change because it is now on Io. The weight changes because the acceleration due to gravity changes, the mass remains the same.

Your mass, my mass, mass of object x, etc. is going to be the same whether you're on the Earth, the moon, Io, etc. It is the weight that changes depending on your location's acceleration due to gravity.
 
underthebridge said:
And what I'm telling you is the mass of the watermelon doesn't change because it is now on Io. The weight changes because the acceleration due to gravity changes, the mass remains the same.

oops, my bad, i thought you said that the weight doesn't change. i misread your post
 
No problem, it happens :)
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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