Mass vs. Weight in Varying Gravity

Steps:

• Mass measures the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of location.
• Weight is the gravitational force on the object, calculated as W = mg, where g is the gravitational field strength.
• As the satellite moves away from Earth, g decreases according to the inverse square law (g ∝ 1/r², r being distance from Earth's center).
• Therefore, mass stays the same, but weight decreases proportionally with g.

Why D is correct:

• Weight equals mass times g (Newton's law of universal gravitation); g weakens with distance, so weight drops while mass is invariant.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Weight decreases due to falling g.
• B: Mass remains constant; only weight changes.
• C: Mass does not increase; weight decreases.

Final answer: D