The weight on the moon
Characters:
Theme: Proportionality
Competencies
Competence in Linguistic Communication
Mathematical competence in science, technology and engineering
Personal, social and learning to learn competence
Competence in cultural awareness and expressions
Subjects and year by Educational System
Spain > Mathematics > 2nd ESO > Number sense
Spain > Mathematics > 2nd ESO > Socio-affective sense
Spain > Mathematics > 4th(A) ESO > Number sense
Spain > Mathematics > 4th(A) ESO > Socio-affective sense
Enunciation
Nicole Lepaute (1723-1788) was a French astronomer considered one of the "best astronomical computers" of the time. In 1758, she made predictions about the return of Halley's Comet and determined how the gravity of the planets can affect the path of a comet. In 1762, she calculated the exact time of a solar eclipse that would occur in 1764 by making a map of the extent of the eclipse throughout Europe, with intervals of 15 minutes.
In this context, let us now consider the following astronomical problem:
Weight is the force with which any object is attracted due to the acceleration of gravity, acting on the mass of the object. According to Newton's second law, we have:
p = m . g
where p is the weight (expressed in Newtons, N); m is the mass (expressed in kilograms, kg) and g is the acceleration due to gravity (which is approximately 9.8 m/s2 on Earth).
On other planets or satellites, the weight of objects varies if the mass of the planets or satellites is different (greater or smaller) than the mass of the Earth.
If the gravity on the Moon is approximately 0.16 times that of the Earth, calculate how much a 5 kg cat and a 1200 kg car would weigh on Earth and on the Moon.
Observations and context
- This activity can be framed in mathematics, within the topic of proportionality or as a complementary activity in the classroom.
- It can be tackled, in turn, in the subject of physics and chemistry.
- She comes from a long line of female astronomers: Enheduanna (c.-2285) considered the first female astronomer in history, Hypatia (c.370-c.416), Sophia Brahe (1556-1643), Maria Cunitz (1610-1664), Maria Winkelmann Kirsch (1670-1720). She was a contemporary of figures such as Margaretha Kirch (1703-1744), Caroline Herschel (1750-1848) and Emilie du Châtelet (1706-1749).
- Predecessor of great astronomers and scientists such as Amelie Harlay de Lalande (1768-1832), Mary Fairfax Greig Somerville (1780-1872), Maria Mitchell (1818-1889), Mary Adela Blagg (1858-1944) or Jocelyn Bell Burnell. (1943-).
- She worked alongside mathematician Jerome Lalande, who emphasized the work of women astronomers throughout history.
Description
In this activity we will work on proportionality to predict how much we would weigh on the moon.