Imagine a landing craft approaching the surface of Callisto, one of Jupiter's moons. If the engine provides an upward force (thrust) of 3270 N, the craft descends at constant speed; if the engine provides only 2190 N, the craft accelerates downward at 40 m/s2. What is the weight of the landing craft in the vicinity of Callisto's surface? What is the mass of the craft? What is the magnitude of the free-fall acceleration near the surface of Callisto?
--- to find the mass in kg.. would i use the equation:
40m/s^2 = 2190 N / mass
and that would be in (N) Newtons? .. or must i convert N into kg?
-- to find weight in N, would i need to find the gravitational force on the Callisto moon? .. what equation would i use.. hmm.. im thinking that the freefall acceleration is the gravitational force..
help! thanks!
I would look at when the thrust equals weight, then the descent is at constant speed, no acceleration. Thus weight is equal to that constant speed thrust. That is given.
Now, for mass:
at 2190N, there is a net force:
Weight-2190N=mass*40
solve for mass.