The gravitational attraction on the surface of the Moon. Class 9

The gravitational attraction on the surface of the Moon. Class 9

Question 1.

The gravitational attraction on the surface of the Moon (lunar surface) is about l/6th of that on the surface of the Earth. An astronaut can throw a ball up to a height of 8 m from the surface of the Earth. How far up will the ball thrown with the same upward velocity travel from the surface of the Moon? Class 9

Answer:

Using conservation of energy: 1/2 mv² = mgh → h = v²/(2g).

1. On Earth: h_E = v²/(2g_E) = 8 m
2. On Moon: g_M = g_E/6 → h_M = v²/(2 × g_E/6) = 6 × v²/(2g_E) = 6 × 8 = 48 m

The ball will travel 48 m up from the surface of the Moon.