Download Inquiry 14.1

Inquiry 14.1
Analyzing the Weight on Each Planet
Directions: Write down the purpose, background information and answer any question in the inquiry on notebook paper. Purpose: How does the weight of a can of pop compare to the same can of pop’s weight on all 8 planets? Background Information: Gravity – The attraction between the mass of an object and other objects (at or near its surface). Mass – The amount of matter (stuff) in an object. Weight – the measure of the force of gravity pulling on a object. Claims: A. On which planet do you think the can of soda weighs the least? B. Why do you think that planet’s container would weigh more or less than another can?
Procedure: 1. Do NOT get a can until you have completed step 3.
2. In this inquiry every container represents the same full can of soda but on different planets.
The cans are located at Lab station #8. You may only take 1 can at a time before returning
it for a different one. I know that Pluto is not a planet, but it’s still fun to see how it compares.
3. Copy the data table below and show me your paper when your group is ready to begin.
4. Find the mass of each of the 8 planets (and Pluto) using a triple-beam-balance.
Planet
Mass of container (g)
Planet’s Surface Gravity
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Recording the Data
A. Rank the weight of each planet from lightest to heaviest from the data table on your paper.
B. Find the planet’s surface gravity by taking the planet’s mass and dividing by Earth’s mass.
C. Check your answers for the data table before answering the questions below.
Analyzing the Data
1. A second factor in gravity is radius of an object. Why do you think this is?
2. Which planet has a similar weight to Earth?
3. Why do you think the distance a person is from the center of a planet has the biggest effect on the weight of a person? Reading: Mass & Weight: What’s the Difference found on my website.
Analyzing the Reading:
a) Does your mass stay the same regardless of if you are on Earth, Mars or the Moon?
b) If you are on top of a mountain, do you weigh more or less? Why do you think that?
c) If an object has more mass, the gravitational force pulling on it is _______ than an object
having less mass.
d) In the metric system, what is a tool used to measure weight?
e) What is weight’s label in the metric system?
f) The strength of an attraction between two objects depends on what two factors?
g) The force of gravity on an object depends on the mass the object, and the mass of the
planet. If the mass of the object is tripled, then gravity must pull on the object how much
harder?
h) How does distance (how far away an object is from the center of the planet) affect the force
that is put on an object?
i) Complete the pattern: If you double the radius of the planet…the weight of the object will be
one-fourth. If you triple the radius of the planet…the weight of the object will be one-ninth. If
you quadruple (4x) the radius of the planet…the weight of the object will be______?
j) If a person weighs 100 pounds on Earth, how many pounds would they weigh on the Moon if
the moon has one-sixth (.16) the gravity of Earth?
k) Why would you not weigh 316 times more on Jupiter’s surface than you would on Earth’s
surface?
l) How much would a 100-pound person weigh on Jupiter if Jupiter’s surface gravity factor
were 2.36?
Stating the Conclusion:
Explain the differences between weight and mass. Use the following questions to guide you as
you write:
1. What is the difference between weight and mass?
2. Does the mass of an object change on different celestial bodies (planets, other space objects,
etc.)?
3. Does the weight of an object change on different celestial bodies (planets, other space
objects, etc.)?
4. What are the two factors that determine you weight on each celestial body? 5. What would the weight of a 150-­‐pound llama be on Jupiter and on Venus?