How Much Do You Weigh?
Astronomy 101 – Prof. Jon Satko
Purpose
To understand that weight is a measure of gravitational attraction and that this force is not the same on each planet.
Key Words
force
gravity
gravitational attraction
weight
mass
Materials
"New" Weight Chart
calculators
bathroom scale
Background
Gravity is a universal, natural force that attracts objects to each
other. Gravity is the pull toward the center of an object; let's say, of
a planet or a moon. When you weigh yourself, you are measuring the
amount of gravitational attraction exerted on you by Earth. The Moon has
a weaker gravitational attraction than Earth. In fact, the Moon's
gravity is only 17% of Earth's gravity. So, you would weigh less on the
Moon. How much would you weigh on the Moon and on the other planets?
Procedure
1. Write your weight (or an estimate) here: ___________________
2. For a different planet, multiply your weight by the number given in the "New" Weight Chart.
Example for the Moon - for a person weighing 160 pounds on Earth:
160 x 0.17 = 27
A 160 pound person would weight 27 pounds on the Moon!
3. Follow the example and fill in the blanks in the "New" Weight Chart. Show your work.