Easy -1.8 This is a straightforward one-step problem requiring only the formula W = mg. Students find mass from Earth weight (m = 5200/9.8), then calculate Mars weight (W = m × 3.7). It's simpler than typical A-level mechanics questions as it involves direct formula application with no problem-solving, making it significantly easier than average.
2 An unmanned spacecraft has a weight of 5200 N on Earth. It lands on the surface of the planet Mars where the acceleration due to gravity is \(3.7 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\).
Calculate the weight of the spacecraft on Mars.
Mass of craft is \(\frac{5200}{9.8} = [530.612\ldots]\) kg
M1
Attempt to find the mass
Weight on Mars is \(3.7 \times \text{mass} = 3.7 \times 530.6122\)
M1
Use of \(mg\) with Mars gravity
\(= 1963\) N (1960 to 3 s.f.)
A1 [3]
cao
## Question 2:
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| Mass of craft is $\frac{5200}{9.8} = [530.612\ldots]$ kg | M1 | Attempt to find the mass |
| Weight on Mars is $3.7 \times \text{mass} = 3.7 \times 530.6122$ | M1 | Use of $mg$ with Mars gravity |
| $= 1963$ N (1960 to 3 s.f.) | A1 [3] | cao |
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2 An unmanned spacecraft has a weight of 5200 N on Earth. It lands on the surface of the planet Mars where the acceleration due to gravity is $3.7 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }$.
Calculate the weight of the spacecraft on Mars.
\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI Paper 1 2021 Q2 [3]}}