Does a Planet's Atmosphere Affect an Astronaut's Weight?

[Minou14]

1. I have to calculate the weight of an astronaut, whose mass is 72 Kg on the surface of different planets, but in the table telling me the Acceleration due to gravity (or Gravitational Field Strength) it there is also a column about whether the planet has an atmosphere. Is that relevant?



2. Homework Equations - Weight (N) = Mass (Kg) X Acceleration (M/s2)



3. I need to know if the atmosphere thing is relevant? I am ignoring it so far!

Thank You so Much!

 

[Minou14]

I am sorry i meant the equation was W = M x G.F.S (N/kg) thank you!

 

[gneill]

Hi Minou14, Welcome to Physics Forums.

Whether or not the planet has an atmosphere should not be relevant for your calculations.

Exceptions would be where the planet's atmosphere is so dense that it provides significant buoyancy for the astronaut. Maybe at the bottom of the atmosphere of a gas giant you'd want to add that contribution to the weight experienced.

If in doubt, post your list of planets.

P.S. You might want to choose a more descriptive title for your next thread; "Please Help Me figure out my homework!" doesn't supply any information about the content or subject matter. It pays to advertise

 

[Minou14]

Thank you so much! That is really help full and yes sorry about the title - I was in a rush! :)

 

[Nickie]

Dear student,

I would like to advise you that the presence of an atmosphere on a planet can indeed affect the weight of an astronaut on its surface. This is because the gravitational field strength, which is represented by the acceleration due to gravity, can be influenced by the density and composition of the atmosphere.

For example, on a planet with a thick atmosphere, the gravitational field strength may be higher due to the added mass of the atmosphere. This would result in a higher weight for the astronaut compared to a planet with a thinner atmosphere.

Therefore, it is important to take into consideration the atmosphere of a planet when calculating the weight of an astronaut on its surface. I suggest referring to a reliable source for information on the atmosphere of each planet in order to accurately calculate the weight.

I hope this helps clarify your doubts. Keep up the good work on your homework!