4. Atoms and molecules are constantly in motion. The more kinetic energy atoms or molecules have, the faster they move about. In which state of matter do the atoms and molecules have the least kinetic energy?

a
not enough information to determine
b
liquid
c
gas
d
solid

5. The table shows the acceleration due to gravity on four different planets. What planet is a person standing on if the person has a mass of 35.0 kg and weighs 343 N?
Location: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
Acceleration due to gravity (m/s^2): 3.59, 8.87, 9.81, 3.77

A) Mercury
B) Venus
C) Earth
D) Mars

1 answer

  1. Atoms and molecules have the least kinetic energy in a d) solid state of matter. In solids, the particles are closely packed together and vibrate in place, but they do not move around freely as in liquids or gases.

  2. To find the planet on which a person with a mass of 35.0 kg weighs 343 N, we use the formula for weight:

\[ \text{Weight} = \text{mass} \times \text{acceleration due to gravity} \]

Rearranging the formula gives us:

\[ \text{acceleration due to gravity} = \frac{\text{Weight}}{\text{mass}} \]

Substituting the values:

\[ \text{acceleration due to gravity} = \frac{343 , \text{N}}{35.0 , \text{kg}} \approx 9.8 , \text{m/s}^2 \]

Now, we can compare this value with the acceleration due to gravity on the different planets:

  • Mercury: 3.59 m/s²
  • Venus: 8.87 m/s²
  • Earth: 9.81 m/s²
  • Mars: 3.77 m/s²

The acceleration due to gravity closest to 9.8 m/s² corresponds to C) Earth.