Problema Solution

If Neil weighng 150 pounds jumps w/an initial velocity of 8ft/sec, calculate his hang time on the earth aswell as his hang time on the moon, given that the moon has 1/6th the gravitational pull of the earth. Then calculate the max height of his jump in each location

Answer provided by our tutors

we use the following formula to calculate height, 'h', under the effect of gravity:


h = vt - (1/2)gt^2, where g = 9.8m/s^2 and 't' represents time in seconds


8 ft/s * 0.3048 = 2.4384 m/s


we treat mass as inconsequential to the problem, considering only the effect of initial velocity and gravitational pull


to find his 'hang time' we solve for h=0, knowing that t=0 will be the first value (before the jump):

0 = 8(0.3048)t - (9.8/2)t^2

solving for 't' we have t=0.497


the 'hang time' will be approximately 0.5 seconds, or 1/2 of a second


the maximum height will be 0.2488m, or 0.816 feet, or 9.8 inches


on the moon, the hang time and height will increase by a factor of 6

hang time: approximately 3 seconds on the moon

maximum height: approximately 2.4 feet