Question

question 6 of 25
why is the force of gravity greater on earths surface than on plutos surface?

a. earth is more massive than pluto.

b. earth has only one moon, while pluto has three.

c. earth is closer to the sun than pluto is.

d. earth has a heavy atmosphere and pluto does not.

Explanation:

The force of gravity on a planet's (or dwarf planet's) surface is related to its mass (and radius). According to the law of universal gravitation, greater mass generally leads to greater surface gravity (when radius differences are not extreme). Earth is much more massive than Pluto. Option B is about number of moons, which doesn't affect surface gravity. Option C is about distance from the sun, which impacts orbital motion, not surface gravity. Option D: Pluto does have an atmosphere, and atmosphere presence/absence isn't the main factor for surface gravity (gravity depends on the body's mass, not its atmosphere's mass relative to the body itself). So the correct reason is Earth's greater mass.

Answer:

A. Earth is more massive than Pluto.