An object weight 10 N when measured on the surface of the earth what would be its weight when measured on the surface of the moon?

Concept:

• Acceleration due to gravity: The acceleration achieved by any object due to the gravitational force of attraction by any planet is called acceleration due to gravity by the earth.
  • As each planet has a different mass and radius so the acceleration due to gravity will be different for a different planet.
• Weight: The weight(w) of an object is the force of gravity on the object and may be defined as the mass(m) times the acceleration of gravity(g).
  • Weight is a force, the SI unit of weight is Newton.

Weight (W) = m g

Where m is mass and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

The value of g is given as 

\(g = \frac{GM}{R^2}\)

G is universal constant, M is mass of planet, R is radius of planet. 

g depends upon mass and radius of planet. 

Explanation:

• Mass of the moon is 1/100 times and the radius of the moon is 1/4 times that of the earth.
• Since the acceleration due to the gravity of the moon is one-sixth of that of the earth.
• So Weight of any object on Moon = 1/6 × Weight of any object on the Earth surface.
• If weight is 10 N on earth, it will be

10 N / 6 on moon 

10 / 6 = 1.67

So the correct option is 1.67 N.