Question

how does traveling in an airplane 10 km above ground level affect a person’s mass and weight compared to being at ground level?
a) mass increases, weight decreases
b) mass and weight remains the same
c) mass remains the same, weight decreases
d) mass decreases, weight decreases

Explanation:

1. Recall the definitions: Mass is the amount of matter in an object, which is an intrinsic property and does not change with location. Weight is the force of gravity on an object, given by \( W = mg \), where \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity.
2. At an altitude of 10 km above ground, the distance from the Earth's center increases slightly. The acceleration due to gravity \( g \) decreases with increasing distance from the Earth's center (by the inverse - square law, \( g\propto\frac{1}{r^{2}} \), where \( r \) is the distance from the Earth's center).
3. Since mass is intrinsic, it remains the same. Since \( W = mg \) and \( g \) decreases at 10 km altitude, the weight (which depends on \( g \)) will decrease.

Answer:

C) Mass remains the same, weight decreases