If an astronaut can throw a certain wrench 10.0 m vertically upward on earth, how high could he throw it on our moon if he gives it the same starting speed in both places?

Question

Physics

Tessa Wise

11 February, 15:55

If an astronaut can throw a certain wrench 10.0 m vertically upward on earth, how high could he throw it on our moon if he gives it the same starting speed in both places?

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Answers (1)

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Emerson Gutierrez · Answer 1

I think you forgot to include the acceleration due to gravity of astronauts. I assume that it is = 0.170 g. To get the answer we have to use the formula s = v0t - (1/2) At². Where s is the altitude, A is the acceleration of gravity, t is the time after throwing.

v = v0 - At

v = 0 at max altitude so v0 - At = 0

t = v0/A at max altitude

Using the formula above for the altitude:

s = v0t - (1/2) At²

s = v0 (v0/A) - (1/2) A (v0/A) ²

s = v0²/A - (1/2) v0²/A

s = (1/2) v0²/A

The earth: E = (1/2) v0²/g

The moon: M = (1/2) v0² (0.17g)

So, take the ratio of M/E = g/0.17g = 1/0.17 = 588

M = 5.88 E

He can throw the wrench 5.88 times higher on the moon

M = 5.88 (10 m) = 58.8 meters that the can throw the wrench a little over on the moon.