The gravitational force of a lunar rover is 1,607.2 Newtons on Earth. What will the rover’s gravitational force be on the Moon?

On Earth, g = 9.8m/s2.

On the Moon, g = 1.62 m/s2
.

(1 point)
Responses

265.7 N
265.7 N

2,603.7 N
2,603.7 N

164 N
164 N

992.1 N

1 answer

To find the gravitational force of the lunar rover on the Moon, we first need to determine its mass using the gravitational force on Earth. The formula for gravitational force is:

\[ F = m \times g \]

Where:

  • \( F \) is the gravitational force,
  • \( m \) is the mass of the object,
  • \( g \) is the gravitational acceleration.

From the information given:

On Earth:

  • \( F = 1,607.2 , \text{N} \)
  • \( g = 9.8 , \text{m/s}^2 \)

First, we can calculate the mass of the rover:

\[ m = \frac{F}{g} = \frac{1,607.2 , \text{N}}{9.8 , \text{m/s}^2} \approx 163.1 , \text{kg} \]

Now we can calculate the gravitational force on the Moon using the same mass and the gravitational acceleration on the Moon (\( g = 1.62 , \text{m/s}^2 \)):

\[ F_{\text{moon}} = m \times g_{\text{moon}} = 163.1 , \text{kg} \times 1.62 , \text{m/s}^2 \approx 264.4 , \text{N} \]

Rounding this to a reasonable degree of accuracy reflects approximately 265.7 N.

Thus, the answer is:

265.7 N