Multiple Choice 2 points A 10.0 kilogram mass of iron on earth exerts a downward force of 98 Newtons. On the moon this same 10.0 kilograms of iron is weighed and found to exert a downward force of 163 Newtons. How is this possible? mass begins to evaporate in the vacuum of space weight is the same everywhere, but mass changes the gravity on the moon is one sixth the gravity of Earth the earth is farther away reducing the pull

## Step 1<br />The problem involves understanding the difference between mass and weight. Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, and it remains constant regardless of the location of the object. Weight, on the other hand, is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It varies depending on the gravitational pull of the planet or celestial body where the object is located.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The weight of an object is calculated by multiplying its mass by the gravitational pull of the planet. The formula for weight is:<br />### \(W = m \times g\)<br />where \(W\) is the weight, \(m\) is the mass, and \(g\) is the gravitational pull.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />On Earth, the gravitational pull is approximately 9.8 m/s². Therefore, a 10.0 kilogram mass of iron on Earth would exert a downward force of:<br />### \(W = 10.0 \, \text{kg} \times 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 = 98 \, \text{N}\)<br /><br />## Step 4<br />On the Moon, the gravitational pull is approximately 1.6 m/s². Therefore, the same 10.0 kilogram mass of iron on the Moon would exert a downward force of:<br />### \(W = 10.0 \, \text{kg} \times 1.6 \, \text{m/s}^2 = 16 \, \text{N}\)<br /><br />## Step 5<br />The difference in the weight of the iron on Earth and the Moon is due to the difference in the gravitational pull of the two celestial bodies. The Moon's gravitational pull is one-sixth that of Earth's, which is why the weight of the iron is significantly less on the Moon.