Question Details

A projectile thrown with a speed v at an angle θ has a range R on the surface of earth. For same v and θ, its range on the surface of moon will be

Options

A

R/6

B

6R

C

R/36

D

36R

Correct Answer :

6R

Solution :

The correct option is 6R.

Let's understand the physics behind this step-by-step.

Step 1: Formula for the Horizontal Range of a Projectile
When a projectile is launched from the ground with an initial speed v at an angle θ with the horizontal, its horizontal range R is given by the formula:

R=v2sin(2θ)g

where g is the acceleration due to gravity on the surface where the projectile is thrown.

Step 2: Compare Gravity on Earth and the Moon
The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the Moon (gm) is approximately one-sixth of the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of Earth (ge):

gm=ge6

Step 3: Calculate the Range on the Moon
Since the initial velocity v and the launch angle θ remain the same on both Earth and the Moon, the range is inversely proportional to gravity:

R1g

Let Re=R be the range on Earth and Rm be the range on the Moon. We can write the ratio of the ranges as:

RmRe=gegm

Substitute gm=ge6 into the equation:

RmR=ge(ge/6)=6

Therefore, solving for Rm:

Rm=6R

Due to the weaker gravitational pull on the Moon, the projectile will stay in the air longer, resulting in a range that is 6 times larger than its range on Earth.

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