Question

On a small planet, an astronaut uses a vertical force of 175 newtons to lift an 87. 5-kilogram boulder at constant velocity to a height of 0. 350 meter above the planet’s surface. What is the magnitude of the gravitational field strength on the surface of the planet?.

Answer 1

Since the boulder is raised with constant velocity, the net force on the boulder is zero, so that the boulder has weight 175 N on this planet. If its mass is 87.5 kg, then the acceleration due to gravity is g such that

175 N = (87.5 kg) g ⇒ g = (175 N) / (87.5 kg) = 2.00 N/kg = 2.00 m/s²