Different pronunciation of the word "answers"

[NewHopeR]

The first is read as /'ɑ:nsəs/, and the second /'ɑ:nsəz/.

Am I on the right track?

Context:
Recent breakthroughs in physics, made possible in part by fantastic new technologies, suggest answers to some of these longstanding questions. Someday these answers may seem as obvious to us as the earth orbiting the sun – or
perhaps as ridiculous as a tower of tortoises. Only time (whatever that may be) will tell.

[Raymott]

The first is read as /'ɑ:nsəs/, and the second /'ɑ:nsəz/.

Am I on the right track?

Context:
Recent breakthroughs in physics, made possible in part by fantastic new technologies, suggest answers to some of these longstanding questions. Someday these answers may seem as obvious to us as the earth orbiting the sun – or
perhaps as ridiculous as a tower of tortoises. Only time (whatever that may be) will tell.

Yes, it might turn out that way - the 's' is /s/ before an unvoiced plosive. But that's not something you need to learn unless you're studying phonetics/phonology. It happens naturally.