Question

Classic footage of the Apollo 11 astronauts show them taking large leaps bounding around the surface of the moon. By transporting this simple spring and mass system to the moon, we can measure the gravitational force exerted by the moon on objects at its surface and compare it to the force of gravity exerted by the earth on people at its surface.

i. Use the apparatus to measure the force of gravity exerted by the moon on the 50 gram mass. What is the value of this force?
ii. If this mass is dropped from a height of 10 m, at what rate does this mass
accelerate towards the surface?
iii. If you can jump to a height of 2 feet on earth, explain using energy principles why the change in gravitational force enables you to jump much higher on the moon.

Answer 1

By measuring the time period of simple pendulum we may determine the value of acceleration due to gravity on any planet.

where l is the length of the simple pendulum.

As we know that the value of g on moon is equal to one-sixth the value of g at the Earth

I) value of the force of gravity exerted by moon on 50gm mass , F=mg  

ii) if this mass is dropped from the height of 10m it will move like free-fall motion with acceleration due to gravity on moon = 1.63m/s2.

III) It is easier to jump on the moon because the gravity is weakened in comparison to gravity on our body on the earth. Thus, you weigh less on the moon and the same exertion of your muscles used on earth will propel you higher on the moon.

When we jump on the earth we actually push the earth down in return as reaction we go upward (jump) but the due the force of gravity exerted by the earth on any person pulled back. As we know that the value of g moon  is lesser as that on the earth hence the force of gravity is lesser on moon which causes the greater height a person can jump on moon.

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