Question

1.3.2 test (cst): science and engineering a cat that weighs 55 n sits on the top of a cat tree. it is 2 m above a 110 n dog. how does the mass of the animals relate to the force of gravity on them? a. the mass of the 55 n cat is greater than the mass of the 110 n dog. b. the mass of the 55 n cat will be the same as the mass of the 110 n dog after it jumps to the ground. c. the 55 n cat has the same mass as the 110 n dog when it is in the cat tree. d. the 55 n cat has less mass than the 110 n dog.

Explanation:

The force of gravity (weight) on an object is given by \( F = mg \), where \( F \) is weight, \( m \) is mass, and \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (constant near Earth's surface). Since \( g \) is constant, weight is directly proportional to mass. The cat weighs 55 N and the dog weighs 110 N. A smaller weight means a smaller mass (because \( F \propto m \) when \( g \) is constant). So the 55 N cat has less mass than the 110 N dog. Option A is wrong (55 N < 110 N, so cat's mass is less). Option B is wrong because mass is constant (doesn't change with position like jumping to ground). Option C is wrong as 55 N ≠ 110 N, so masses can't be same. Option D is correct.

Answer:

D. The 55 N cat has less mass than the 110 N dog.