Concept explainers
If you stand on a shrinking planet, so that in effect you get closer to its center, your weight will increase. But if you instead burrow into the planet and get closer to its center, your weight will decrease. Explain.
To explain: The weight variation if going towards center, using a hole to the center, or standing still on a shrinking planet.
Explanation of Solution
Introduction: Weight is the measurement of gravitational force applied on an object times the mass of the object.
If a person is standing on a shrinking planet, the center of mass will exert more force on the person as the planet shrinks. Thus, the greater force of gravity will be applied to the person as he reaches towards the center of the planet.
If he borrows a hole into the planet to get closer to the center of the planet, then the upward force exerted by the shell of the planet above him will counterbalance with the downward pull towards the center of the planet. The net force will be zero as he moves towards the center, acceleration due to gravity decreases. Thus, the weight of the person also decreases with the same rate.
Conclusion: Thus, if a person standing on the shrinking planet, then force exerted by center of mass will act upon it, increasing his weight. If going towards the center using a tunnel then downward force and upward force will balance each other and weigh lesser.
Chapter 13 Solutions
Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (3rd Edition)
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
The Cosmic Perspective
Conceptual Integrated Science
Applied Physics (11th Edition)
The Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals (2nd Edition)
- College PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781305952300Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris VuillePublisher:Cengage LearningUniversity Physics (14th Edition)PhysicsISBN:9780133969290Author:Hugh D. Young, Roger A. FreedmanPublisher:PEARSONIntroduction To Quantum MechanicsPhysicsISBN:9781107189638Author:Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.Publisher:Cambridge University Press
- Physics for Scientists and EngineersPhysicsISBN:9781337553278Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningLecture- Tutorials for Introductory AstronomyPhysicsISBN:9780321820464Author:Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina BrissendenPublisher:Addison-WesleyCollege Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio...PhysicsISBN:9780134609034Author:Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart FieldPublisher:PEARSON