Question 1173967: The weight of an object varies inversely as the square of the object's distance from the center of Earth. The radius of Earth is 3960 miles.
a. If an astronaut weighs 130 pounds on the surface of Earth, how much does she weigh 6,000 miles above the surface of Earth?
b. If a miner weighs 218 pounds on the surface of Earth, how much does he weigh 12 miles below the surface of Earth?
Answer by ikleyn(52778)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! .
For your info, and for the info of the person who created/composed this problem.
For an object located deeply inside the Earth globe, this statement is INVALID,
that the weight of such an object is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the Earth center.
In this case, outer layers of the Earthen globe produce ZERO net gravitational force,
and only interior mass of the Earthen globe participates to make the net gravity force.
As a result, the inverse proportionality law DOES NOT work for the bodies inside the Earthen globe.
For example and as a consequence of this fact, the weight of the body located AT THE CENTER
of the Earthen globe is equal to ZERO, but not an infinity . . .
It was discovered by sir Isaak Newton more than 330 years ago, and is well known fact since then for all who knows the subject.
THEREFORE, the part (b) of your problem can only confuse a professional reader,
and makes it clear that the person who created this problem is unfamiliar with elementary Physics,
so you better take it off . . .
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When you complete reading my post, do not forget to post your "THANKS" to me for my teaching.
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