4.1 Mass and Weight 42 Inertia @® puia your understanding! Attempt the following questions on your own or in a group setting. 1. A-man has a mass of 70 kg on Earth. What is his weight on the Moon, where the gravitational field strength is + that of Earth? Find his weight on Jupiter, where the gravitational field strength is 2.64 times that of Earth. (g= 10 m s*) Weight on Earth is 70 = 10 = 700N Weight on the Moon is 4 « 700 = 1178 6 Weight on Jupiter is 2.64 = 700 = 1848 N 2. Explain the following observations: (a) The mass of an apple measured by a beam balance is the same on Earth and the Moon. Since mass is the amount of matter ina body, ‘or on the Moon. Therefore, the mass of the apple is the same on Earth and on the Moon, (b) The weight of the same apple measured by a spring balance is different on Earth and the Moon. ‘Since weight is the pull of gravity on a body. itis dependent on the location. The pull of gravity ‘on Earth and on the Moon is different, thus the weight of the same apple is different on Earth and ‘on the Moon. 3. (a) Distinguish between mass and inertia. How are they related? Mass is the amount of matter in a body, while inertia is the reluctance of a body to change its state of rest or motion. The greater the mass, the greater the inertia. 32 Mass, Weight and Density (© 2007 Marshall Cavendish International (S) Pte Lidb) ae logs of wood tS ropes Figure 44 In Figure 4.1, if the ropes tying the logs of wood together are loose, explain why the helper in front of the wooden logs is in danger of being seriously injured if the moving lorry suddenly comes to a stop. ‘When the lorry suddenly comes toa stop, the inertia of the logs will cause them to continue __ ‘moving forward, thus crushing the helper. Would it be easier for a weight lifter to set a ew world record on the Moon? Why? Yes, less gravitational pull 5. In many countries, it is mandatory for vehicles to be fitted with seat belts so as to protect passengers in the event of an accident. Why is this so? To decrease the number of casualties in case ofa car accident. +» Check your understanding. 1 Doyou know the difference between the mass and weight on Earth and an the Moon? 1 Do you know the relationship between your own mass and weight? Have you learnt what inertia is? Which has more inertia, you or an elephant? Q a ‘You would have ‘entered’ the gravitational of the Earth if you suddenly experienced a force due to gravitational attraction while floating in space in the Earth's vicinity, Do you know the gravitational field strength of the Earth? (© 2007 Marshall Cavendish International (S) Pte Lid Physics Matters Warkbcok Volume 1. 33,cha lenge Yourself! Attempt the following questions on your own. You are advised to spend no more than the time indicated, 1. An experiment is conducted in space where an astronaut throws a bowling ball (Figure 4.2). . Which of the following statements is correct? [A Its easier to do so in outer space than on Earth. B Itis easier to do so on Earth than in outer space. G Itisas difficult to do so in outer space as itis on Earth. D The bowling ball is heavier in outer space. 2. A paper weight is placed on a newton balance A and then on a beam balance B. What does each balance measure? balance A balance B BalanceA Balance B 2 A Mass Mass B Mass Weight C Weight Mass D~ Weight Weight (ey) paper weight 3. (a) The acceleration of freefall near the surface of the Earth is 10 ms*, The acceleration of free fall near the surface of the Moon is 1.6ms?. Calculate the weight of an object of mass 5.0 kg (i) near the surface of the Earth, Weight = 5x 10=50N (i) near the surface of the Moon. Weight = 5 x 1.6=8.0N (b) You have two balances J and K, as shown in Figure 4.4, State and explain which you would use to measure mass and weight. PFiguess K Balance K is used to measure mass. The object wo be measured is placed on one of the pans and its mass is equal tothe numberof pieces of standard masses placed onthe other pan to balance the two pans. Balance J is used to measure weight. (Nov97/P2/Q3) 94 Mase, Weight and Density (© 2007 Marshall Cavendish International (S) Pte Lad