3. Using conceptual meaning of g = Fg/m [N/kg], answer the following:
a) What does the spring scale read on the surface of the Moon?
To answer this question, we need to consider the conceptual meaning of the equation given: g = Fg/m.
In this equation:
- "g" represents the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.8 m/s² on the surface of the Earth.
- "Fg" represents the force of gravity acting on an object.
- "m" represents the mass of the object.
The equation implies that the value of "g" will vary depending on the environment or celestial body where the measurement is being taken.
On the surface of the Moon, the acceleration due to gravity is significantly lower than on Earth, approximately 1.6 m/s². This means that the gravitational force pulling objects towards the Moon's surface is much weaker compared to Earth.
Using the conceptual meaning of the equation, we can determine what the spring scale would read on the surface of the Moon by rearranging the equation to solve for "Fg":
Fg = g * m
Since we know that "g" on the Moon is about 1.6 m/s², we can substitute the value into the equation:
Fg = 1.6 m/s² * m
The result is a force, measured in newtons (N), required to balance the gravitational force acting on an object. This force would be what the spring scale would read on the surface of the Moon.