Question

If Spacecraft X has twice the mass of Spacecraft Y, then true statements about X and Y include which of the following? 

I. On Earth. X experiences twice the gravitational force that Y experiences. 

II. On the Moon, X has twice the weight of Y. 

III. When both are in the same circular orbit, X has twice the centripetal acceleration of Y. 

(A) I only 

(B) III only 

(C) I and II only 

(D) II and III only 

(E) I, II, and III

Answer 1

Correct option (C) I and II only  

The gravitational force on an object is the weight, and is proportional to the mass. In the same circular orbit, it is only the mass of the body being orbited and the radius of the orbit that contributes to the orbital speed and acceleration.