When you jump, you exert a pushing force against the ground. Gravity pulls you back down. Why can a person jump higher on the moon than on Earth? (1 point)
A. A person has less mass on the moon than on Earth.
B. Pushing forces are stronger on the moon than on Earth.
C. A person weighs more on the moon than on Earth.
D. The gravitational force on the moon is weaker than on Earth.
D. The gravitational force on the moon is weaker than on Earth.
D. The gravitational force on the moon is weaker than on Earth.
The correct answer is D. The gravitational force on the moon is weaker than on Earth.
To understand why a person can jump higher on the moon, we need to consider the fundamental principles involved. When a person jumps, they exert a pushing force against the ground. In response, the ground exerts an equal and opposite force called the normal force, which propels the person upwards. At the same time, gravity pulls the person downwards. The height of the jump depends on the balance between the upward force and the downward force.
On Earth, gravity pulls objects towards the center of the planet, resulting in a strong gravitational force. This force makes it more difficult for a person to jump higher as gravity pulls them back down to the ground quickly. However, on the moon, the gravitational force is weaker compared to Earth. The moon's smaller mass and weaker gravitational pull result in a lower acceleration due to gravity. Therefore, a person can exert a smaller force to counteract gravity and achieve a higher jump on the moon.
In conclusion, a person can jump higher on the moon than on Earth because the gravitational force on the moon is weaker.