Understanding Mass and Weight

This question is about understanding a fundamental concept in physics: the difference between mass and weight. Let's clarify these terms.

• Mass: Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. It is an intrinsic property of the object and remains constant regardless of its location or the gravitational field it is in. The standard unit of mass is the kilogram (kg).
• Weight: Weight, on the other hand, is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It is calculated by the formula \(W = mg\), where \(m\) is the mass of the object and \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity at that location. Weight changes depending on the strength of the gravitational field. The unit of weight is the Newton (N).

Mass on Earth vs. Mass in Spacecraft

The question states the woman's mass is 60 kg on the Earth's surface. When she is in a spacecraft at an altitude of two times the Earth's radius, the gravitational pull of the Earth will be significantly weaker. This means her weight will be less than on the surface of the Earth.

However, her mass, which is the amount of matter in her body, does not change just because she is in a different location or experiences a different gravitational force. Her mass remains constant.

Think of it this way: If you count the number of atoms and molecules that make up the woman, that number doesn't change whether she's standing on Earth or floating in a spacecraft high above. Therefore, her mass, representing the total amount of matter, stays the same.

Conclusion on the Woman's Mass

The woman's mass on the Earth's surface is given as 60 kg. Since mass is an intrinsic property that does not change with location or gravitational acceleration, her mass in the spacecraft at an altitude of two times the Earth radius will still be the same as her mass on Earth.

Even though the gravitational force and hence her weight would be different in the spacecraft compared to on Earth, her mass remains 60 kg.