http://library.thinkquest.org/27585/lab/sim_surface.htmlName ______________________________________ Hour _________
Surface Gravity
and Weight
Applet Purpose: With this applet you
may observe how weights differ from the surface of one planet to another. In
other words, it tells you that if something weighs so much on the surface of one
planet, it will weigh these amounts on the surfaces of the other planets.
How Do I Use It?
To use this applet simply enter a weight into the text box under one of the
planets and press the button that says "set" directly below the box.
The weights underneath all the other planets will automatically change to be in
accordance with what you entered.
Things to Try
Underneath Earth enter your weight and press set. What would you weigh on the
surface of Jupiter, the Moon or even the Sun? Fill in the table below for each
planet, moon, and sun based on your earth weight in pounds.
Table 1. (My weight in pounds on):
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Earth |
Moon |
Mercury |
Venus |
Mars |
Jupiter |
Saturn |
Uranus |
Neptune |
Pluto |
Sun |
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Calculate your mass in kilograms. One kilogram is approximately 2.205 pounds.
Your mass = ___________ kg.
Your mass in the universe is a constant and would be the same on each planet,
moon, or star listed in the table.
Convert your weight in pounds to newtons of force. Note: 1pound approximately
equals 4.448 newtons. State your weight in newtons on each of the planets, moon
and sun.
Table 2. (My weight in newtons on):
|
Earth |
Moon |
Mercury |
Venus |
Mars |
Jupiter |
Saturn |
Uranus |
Neptune |
Pluto |
Sun |
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Determine the acceleration of gravity on each planet, moon, and sun.
The pull of gravity is a force of attraction (called weight) between two objects. One of the objects is usually larger than the other like a planet, moon, or star. This force of gravity causes an object to be accelerated toward the surface of the larger body. The force of gravity (in newtons) equals the mass of the smaller body times the gravitational acceleration caused by the larger body. F = mg is the formula that illustrates this relationship. To find the acceleration of gravity on these planets, moon and sun you need to solve this equation for "g". The value "g" will be the acceleration on or near the surface of each planet, moon, or sun. Use this equation to find the acceleration on each surface in the table below.
g = F/mTable 3. Acceleration of gravity on:
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Earth |
Moon |
Mercury |
Venus |
Mars |
Jupiter |
Saturn |
Uranus |
Neptune |
Pluto |
Sun |
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The Force of gravity on any planet can be calculated from Newton's formula of universal gravity: