An object on the moon feels lighter than the same object on Earth. Which statement explains this phenomenon?
The phenomenon of an object feeling lighter on the moon compared to Earth can be explained by the difference in gravitational force between the two celestial bodies.
Explanation:
1. The gravitational force is determined by the mass of the celestial body and the distance from its center. Earth has a much greater mass than the moon, which results in a higher gravitational force on Earth.
2. The gravitational force on the moon is about 1/6th of the gravitational force on Earth. This means that objects experience only about 1/6th of the force pulling them towards the moon's surface compared to Earth.
3. When an object is on the moon, it is subjected to a weaker gravitational force than on Earth. This weaker force results in the object "weighing" less, which gives the perception of it feeling lighter.
Therefore, the statement that explains the phenomenon of an object feeling lighter on the moon compared to Earth is that the gravitational force on the moon is much weaker than on Earth.