Gravitational forces

A measure of how much matter an object has is--

• weight

• gravity

• mass

• volume

Answer explanation

The correct answer is mass, which measures the amount of matter in an object. Weight depends on gravity and varies with location, while volume measures space occupied, not matter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-5

What is the definition of "weight"?

• measure of the force of gravity on your body

• the time it takes to get on a ride 

• the amount of matter in an object

• the size of an object

Answer explanation

Weight is defined as the measure of the force of gravity acting on an object, specifically your body in this context. It differs from mass, which is the amount of matter in an object.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

On which celestial object would you weigh the most?

• Earth

• Jupiter

• Sun

• You would weigh the same on all celestial objects

Answer explanation

You would weigh the most on the Sun due to its immense gravitational pull, which is significantly stronger than that of Earth or Jupiter. This means your weight would be greatest on the Sun.

On which celestial object (outer space) would your mass be the greatest?

• Earth

• Jupiter

• Sun

• Your mass doesn't change on different celestial objects

Answer explanation

Your mass remains constant regardless of the celestial object you are on. While weight varies due to gravity, mass is an intrinsic property and does not change based on location.

Why do all of the planets orbit the sun rather than Earth?

• the sun has more mass

• the sun is a star

• the Earth is heavier

• the sun is in the middle of the milky way

Answer explanation

The correct answer is that the sun has more mass. Its greater gravitational pull keeps all the planets, including Earth, in orbit around it, rather than the other way around.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

As an object's mass increases, its gravitational pull will ____________.

• decrease

• increase

• stay the same

• get weaker

Answer explanation

As an object's mass increases, its gravitational pull will increase due to the direct relationship between mass and gravity. More mass means a stronger gravitational force.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

If an object has more mass, then it will

• weigh more.

• weigh less.

• weigh the same as an object with less mass.

• always have more volume than an object with less mass.

Answer explanation

An object with more mass will exert a greater gravitational force, resulting in a higher weight. Therefore, it will weigh more compared to an object with less mass.

Why would you weigh less on the moon compared to Earth?

• less air

• less sunlight

• more gravitational pull

• less gravitational pull

Answer explanation

You weigh less on the moon because it has less gravitational pull than Earth. The moon's gravity is about 1/6th that of Earth's, resulting in a lower weight for objects and people.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

As distance between two objects increase the pull of gravity 

• Increases

• Decreases

• Stays the same

Answer explanation

As the distance between two objects increases, the gravitational pull between them decreases. This is due to the inverse square law of gravitation, which states that gravity weakens with distance.

Which of the following never changes no matter where in the universe?

• weight

• force

• mass

• pounds

Answer explanation

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of location in the universe. In contrast, weight and force depend on gravity, which varies in different locations.