How Much Does Gravity Affect Weight on Mercury?

Thread starter Bigdane
Start date Jan 11, 2009
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Acceleration Gravitational Gravitational acceleration

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The acceleration due to gravity on Mercury can be calculated using the formula g = G * M / r^2, where G is the gravitational constant, M is Mercury's mass, and r is its radius. This results in a gravity of approximately 3.7 m/s² on Mercury. A person weighing 5.94 kg on Earth would weigh significantly less on Mercury due to this lower gravity, specifically about 22.0 N. The Law of Gravitation states that every point mass attracts every other point mass in the universe, and Newton's second law relates force to mass and acceleration. Understanding these principles is essential for calculating weight on different celestial bodies.

Jan 11, 2009

Bigdane

Mercury has a mass of 3.30 x10^23 kg and a radius of 2.44 x10^6 m.
(a) What is the acceleration due to gravity on Mercury?
m/s2

(b) How much would a 5.94 kg person weigh on this planet?
Ni honestly have no idea how to do this... help please!

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Jan 11, 2009

hage567

Homework Helper

What is the Law of Gravitation?

What is Newton's second law?

Jan 11, 2009

Bigdane

thanks

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