What do we mean when we say 1 kg of bananas ?

[PeterPumpkin]

What do we mean when we say "1 kg of bananas"?

Homework Statement

If I buy 1 kg bananas in a supermarket on the moon, will I get the same amount (mass) of bananas as if I bought them on the earth?

Homework Equations

w=mg
g moon = 1/6 g earth

The Attempt at a Solution

It depends on what they mean by 1 kg surely. If the supermarkets are meaning 1 kg mass, the answer is yes. If they mean 1 kg wt (= force) then no. What does the supermarket mean when they say "1 kg"?

Another way of looking at it: If they us an oscillatory balance, yes. But, if they use a spring balance, no. Am I right?

 

[AlexCdeP]

The weight of the bananas is a force as you said, forget that for this question, that increases as the force of gravity increases according to w=mg. The question is talking about the mass of the bananas, which is always 1 kg whether your on the moon or on Earth so yes you do get the same amount.

 

[TSny]

Another way of looking at it: If they us an oscillatory balance, yes. But, if they use a spring balance, no. Am I right?

Yes, you're right. And I think you should throw 1 kg of tomatoes at your teacher for asking this ambiguous question! [Of course, it's not really ambiguous if the supermarkets on the moon have properly calibrated their spring balances.]

 

[charlie95]

LOL =)
Funny task:)

 

[Nickie]

As a scientist, the term "1 kg of bananas" refers to a unit of measurement for mass. This means that if you were to purchase 1 kg of bananas, you would be receiving a specific amount of bananas that has a mass of 1 kg. This measurement is independent of the location, so whether you purchase the bananas on the moon or on Earth, you would still be receiving the same amount of bananas with a mass of 1 kg.

However, it is important to note that the weight of the bananas may be different on the moon compared to Earth due to the difference in gravitational pull. As you mentioned, the weight of an object is equal to its mass multiplied by the gravitational acceleration. So, while the mass of the bananas would be the same, their weight would differ on the moon due to the lower gravitational acceleration.

In terms of how the supermarket measures the weight of the bananas, it would depend on the type of scale they use. An oscillatory balance would measure the mass of the bananas, while a spring balance would measure the weight. So, it is important to clarify with the supermarket what they mean by "1 kg" to ensure that you are receiving the correct amount of bananas.