Mass vs. Weight in Gravity

Steps:

• Mass is the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of location.
• Weight is the gravitational force on the object, given by W = mg, where g is the acceleration due to gravity.
• As the satellite moves farther from Earth, g decreases because gravity weakens with distance (Newton's law of universal gravitation: F = G m1 m2 / r²).
• Thus, mass stays the same, but weight reduces due to lower g.

Why C is correct:

• Weight decreases as gravitational pull diminishes with distance, while mass is invariant per its definition as inertial property.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Weight changes due to varying g.
• B: Mass does not decrease; it's constant.
• D: Mass does not increase; weight decreases, not stays unaffected.

Final answer: C