To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the concepts of mass and weight and how they differ between the Moon and Earth.
- Mass: Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and is typically measured in kilograms (kg). It is an intrinsic property of an object and does not change regardless of location. Thus, the mass of the rock remains constant whether it is on Earth or the Moon.
- Weight: Weight is the force exerted by gravity on an object and is calculated by the equation: Weight = Mass × Gravitational acceleration. On Earth, gravitational acceleration is approximately 9.8 m/s², whereas on the Moon, it is about 1.6 m/s².
Because weight depends on gravitational acceleration, the weight of the rock will vary based on location. The rock will weigh less on the Moon due to its lower gravitational pull. When Neil Armstrong brought the rock back to Earth, the gravitational pull increased, thereby increasing the weight of the rock.
The correct answer is: The weight of the rock will change.