Max Lifting Potential on Earth vs. Moon

  • Thread starter Thread starter freerider78
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Earth Moon Weight
AI Thread Summary
The gravitational acceleration on the moon is significantly lower than on Earth, at 1.62 m/s² compared to 9.81 m/s². If a person can lift 195 lbf on Earth, they can technically lift the same weight on the moon due to their unchanged strength, but they would be able to lift a greater mass because of the reduced gravity. The confusion arises from equating weight with lifting capability; while weight is a force dependent on gravity, the individual's strength remains constant. Thus, the maximum weight lifted would not change, but the mass that could be lifted increases. Understanding that weight is a force and strength does not diminish in lower gravity clarifies this concept.
freerider78
Messages
7
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



The gravitational acceleration on the moon is 1.62 m/s2. If you can barely lift 195 lbf on earth, what would be the max you could lift on the moon (give answer in N).

Homework Equations



F=mg


The Attempt at a Solution



I have a feeling this is a trick question and the answer is the max weight you can lift would be the same here or on the moon. You could lift 6X more mass, but not weight. I'm not sure how to explain this thought. Any help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I was about to fall for the trick and do the math.
freerider78 said:
...the max weight you can lift would be the same here or on the moon. You could lift 6X more mass, but not weight...

What's wrong with this?
 
your answer is good--but I mean, there really is no mathematical explanation. All you are saying is that if you can lift 195 on Earth you can lift the same on the moon because hopefully you don't undergo to much genetic mutation as you are struck with cosmic rays on the moon/on the way to the moon.
 
I know its a good answer, I just don't quite understand why I could lift the same weight here and on the moon. Sometimes its the easy stuff that trips me up.
 
Because weight is force, and you're just as strong and forcefull on the moon as you are here. You already figured it out that this same force will allow you to lift 6 times as much mass.
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
Back
Top