Calculating Freefall Acceleration on the Moon

In summary: I'm definitely interested in learning more about this.In summary, you computed the Moon's acceleration by using the equation for Earth, G=GM/R². The acceleration is smaller in 4 times.
  • #1
Ockonal
30
0

Homework Statement


Mass of the Moon is nearly less in 100 times than Earth's, and the diametr is less in 4 times.
Find the acceleration of free falling at the Moon.

Homework Equations


F = G×((M×m)/R²)
g = 9.8N

The Attempt at a Solution


M_moon = M_earth / 100
D_moon = D_earth / 4
R_moon = D_moon / 2 = D_earth / 8

g_earth = G×(M_earth/R_earth²)
g_moon = G×(M_moon / R_moon²)
=>
M_earth = (g×R_earth²) / G
M_moon = (g×R_earth²) / G / 100
...
g_moon = g_earth / 25
But the answer is wrong. I think my mistake is in diameter passing and converting it into radius. Help me, please/
 
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  • #2
Your mistake is that you dropped something. You were fine up to here:
Ockonal said:
g_earth = G×(M_earth/R_earth²)
g_moon = G×(M_moon / R_moon²)
Given that, what is g_moon / g_earth?
 
  • #3
so:
g_moon / g_earth =

M_moon × R_earth²
-------------------
M_earth × R_moon²

Now I'm passing data instead of *_moon:

(M_earth/100) × R_earth²
----------------------
M_earth × (D_earth / 4)

How to make it easier?
 
  • #4
so:
Code:
g_moon / g_earth =
 
M_moon × R_earth²
-------------------
M_earth × R_moon²
Now I'm passing data instead of *_moon:
Code:
(M_earth/100) × R_earth²
----------------------
M_earth × (D_earth / 4)
How to make it easier?

-----
I did this:

Code:
  M_earth × R_earth²
----------------------
          100
----------------------
M_earth × 2 × R_earth
----------------------
              8
=>
R_earth / 25

But R_earth shouldn't be presented.
 
  • #5
If the diameter of the Moon is roughly 1/4 of the diameter of the Earth, what can you say about the radius of the Moon in terms of the radius of the Earth?
 
  • #6
D H said:
If the diameter of the Moon is roughly 1/4 of the diameter of the Earth, what can you say about the radius of the Moon in terms of the radius of the Earth?

D_moon = 1/4 D_Earth
R_moon = (1/4 D_Earth)/2

I'm confused :(
 
  • #7
You just expressed the Moon's radius in terms of the Earth's diameter. I asked you to express the Moon's radius in terms of the Earth's radius. So, try again, please.

Once you have that figured out, go back to computing g_moon / g_earth.
 
  • #8
you know that g=Gm/r2

now for earth

g = GM/R2

for moon, g' = GM'/R'2

you know that M' = M/100 and D' = D/4

so R' = ?
 
  • #9
D H said:
You just expressed the Moon's radius in terms of the Earth's diameter. I asked you to express the Moon's radius in terms of the Earth's radius. So, try again, please.

Once you have that figured out, go back to computing g_moon / g_earth.

As I understand:
D/4 = Moon's diametr, so:
R/4 + R/4 = D/4
So radius is smaller in 4 times?
 
  • #10
yes!

now just substitute the values
 
  • #11
cupid.callin said:
now just substitute the values
Didn't understand right, maybe:
Code:
g_moon = G × ( M_earth / 25 × R_earth² )
g_earth = G × ( M_earth / R_earth² )

g_moon / g_earth = 
    M_eath × R_earth²
-----------------------   =
M_earth × 25 × R_earth²

1/25
 
  • #12
the ' ones are for moon


g = GM/R2

for moon, g' = GM'/R'2

you know that M' = M/100 and D' = D/4

so R' = R/4


Code:
g' = G(M/100)
      _______
        R/4

so ... g' = <something> GM/R[sup]2[/sup]
        g' = <something> g
 
  • #13
cupid.callin said:
the ' ones are for moon
Code:
g' = G(M/100)
      _______
        R/4

so ... g' = <something> GM/R[sup]2[/sup]
        g' = <something> g

Sorry, I can't understand from where did you get GM/R² in
Code:
g' = G(M/100)
      _______
        R/4
 
  • #14
sorry i can't give answer ,,, got 2 warnings for it

i just rearranged the eqn and dividing the numbers i can

separate GM/R² ... and as you know from eqn of Earth GM/R² = g

eqn of Earth ... sounds fascinating!
 

What is freefall acceleration on the moon?

Freefall acceleration on the moon is the rate at which an object falls towards the surface of the moon due to the moon's gravitational pull. It is measured in meters per second squared (m/s²).

How is freefall acceleration on the moon different from on Earth?

The freefall acceleration on the moon is approximately 1.6 m/s², which is about 6 times less than the freefall acceleration on Earth. This is because the moon has less mass and a weaker gravitational pull compared to Earth.

How do you calculate freefall acceleration on the moon?

Freefall acceleration on the moon can be calculated using the formula a = GM/r², where G is the gravitational constant (6.67 x 10^-11 N*m²/kg²), M is the mass of the moon (7.35 x 10^22 kg), and r is the distance between the object and the center of the moon (1.74 x 10^6 m).

What factors can affect freefall acceleration on the moon?

The main factor that can affect freefall acceleration on the moon is the distance between the object and the center of the moon. This is because the gravitational pull decreases as the distance increases. Other factors such as the mass of the object and the moon's rotation can also have a small impact on freefall acceleration.

How is freefall acceleration on the moon used in space exploration?

Freefall acceleration on the moon is important in space exploration as it helps calculate the trajectories of spacecraft and landers when they are approaching the moon's surface. It is also used to determine the weight of objects on the moon, which is different from their weight on Earth due to the difference in freefall acceleration.

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