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
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 at an angle with the horizontal, its horizontal range is given by the formula:
where 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 () is approximately one-sixth of the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of Earth ():
Step 3: Calculate the Range on the Moon
Since the initial velocity and the launch angle remain the same on both Earth and the Moon, the range is inversely proportional to gravity:
Let be the range on Earth and be the range on the Moon. We can write the ratio of the ranges as:
Substitute into the equation:
Therefore, solving for :
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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