A 100 lb person would weigh approximately 8 pounds on Pluto.
Understanding Weight and Gravity
Your weight is a measure of the gravitational force exerted on your body by a celestial object. Unlike your mass, which remains constant regardless of your location, your weight changes depending on the strength of the gravitational pull.
Pluto, classified as a dwarf planet, has a significantly weaker gravitational pull compared to Earth. This means that objects, including people, would weigh considerably less there than they do on our home planet.
Pluto's Gravitational Pull
The surface gravity on Pluto is remarkably low. It is approximately 1/12th (one-twelfth) the surface gravity on Earth. This fraction directly influences how much you would weigh.
To calculate your weight on Pluto, you would simply divide your Earth weight by 12.
For instance:
- Your weight on Earth: 100 pounds (lb)
- Pluto's gravity factor: 1/12th of Earth's gravity
- Your weight on Pluto: 100 lb ÷ 12 ≈ 8.33 lb
Commonly, this is rounded to 8 pounds, illustrating the drastic difference in gravitational forces between Earth and Pluto. This significant reduction means you would feel incredibly light-footed on Pluto's surface.
Weight Comparison: Earth vs. Pluto
The table below highlights the difference in weight for a 100 lb person on Earth compared to Pluto:
Location | Gravitational Force (Approx. relative to Earth) | Weight of a 100 lb Person (Approx.) |
---|---|---|
Earth | 1 (100%) | 100 lbs |
Pluto | 1/12 (8.3%) | 8 lbs |
This comparison makes it clear how much the environment can alter a person's perceived weight. The concept of gravity is fundamental to understanding planetary exploration and the physics of the cosmos. To learn more about gravity and other celestial bodies, you can explore resources from organizations like NASA.