A space probe lands on the icy surface of Europa, a moon of Jupiter. It weighs a set of known masses. The results are shown below.
Mass (kg) 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
Weight (N) 0.15 0.30 0.36 0.55 0.68
a) i) Plot a graph of this data on the axes given (done)
ii) Use your graph to estimate the gravitional field strength at Europa's surface.
b) Suggest why several masses were weighed, not just one.
I can't think of a good reason for making more than one measurement. There should be a linear relationship between mass and weight, unless the scale is unreliable.
A least-squares "regression" best fit to the data in the chart should lead to a more accurate value of the slope, which will be the value of the acceleration of gravity at that moon's surface.
Ok, thank you. I was wondering if the several masses had something to do with the surface being ice?
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a) i) To plot the graph, you would need to use the given data points for mass and weight. The mass is given in kilograms (kg) and the weight in Newtons (N). The mass is plotted on the x-axis and the weight on the y-axis.
ii) To estimate the gravitational field strength at Europa's surface, you will need to look at the slope of the graph. The slope represents the relationship between weight and mass. In this case, the slope corresponds to the gravitational field strength.
b) Several masses were weighed, not just one, to determine the relationship between mass and weight. By weighing multiple masses, you can establish a pattern or trend that allows you to estimate the gravitational field strength at Europa's surface. This method helps to minimize errors and uncertainties, as well as provide a more accurate estimation of the gravitational field strength.