If an object has a mass of 20 kg, what's the force of gravity acting on it on Earth?
A) 1.96 kg
B) 2.04 kg
C) 32.67 N
D) 196 N
Answer (2)
The force of gravity acting on an object with mass m is given by F = m g , where g is the acceleration due to gravity ( 9.8 m / s 2 on Earth).
Substitute the given mass m = 20 kg and g = 9.8 m / s 2 into the formula.
Calculate the force: F = 20 × 9.8 = 196 N.
The force of gravity acting on the object is 196 N .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given an object with a mass of 20 kg and asked to find the force of gravity acting on it on Earth. We know that the force of gravity can be calculated using the formula F = m g , where F is the force of gravity, m is the mass, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. On Earth, the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m / s 2 .
Applying the Formula Now, we can plug in the given values into the formula: F = ( 20 k g ) ( 9.8 m / s 2 ) .
Calculating the Force Calculating the force, we get F = 196 N .
Final Answer Therefore, the force of gravity acting on the object on Earth is 196 N.
Examples
Understanding the force of gravity is essential in many real-world scenarios. For example, when designing a bridge, engineers need to calculate the gravitational forces acting on the structure to ensure it can withstand the load. Similarly, when launching a rocket, scientists need to understand the gravitational forces to accurately predict its trajectory. Knowing how to calculate gravitational force helps in designing stable structures and predicting the motion of objects.
The force of gravity acting on an object with a mass of 20 kg on Earth is calculated using the formula F = mg, resulting in a force of 196 N. The appropriate choice is D) 196 N.
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