Calculate the acceleration due to gravity near the surface of the moon | solving numerical with this value

Last updated on April 16th, 2021 at 09:21 am

To calculate the acceleration due to gravity near the surface of the moon we will use the formula g = GM_moon / R_moon²

Here G = universal gravitational constant = 6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N · m²/kg²
M_moon = 7.35 × 10²² kg
and
R_moon = 1.738 × 10⁶ m

g_moon = GM_moon / R_moon² = (6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ )(7.35 × 10²²)/(1.738 × 10⁶ )² m/s²
=> g_moon= 1.62 m/s²

What is the value of acceleration due to gravity near the surface of the moon?

The value of acceleration due to gravity near the surface of the moon = g_moon= 1.62 m/s²

Solve a numerical problem – Using g value near the moon surface

What would be the weight of a 10 kg mass on the surface of the moon? What be the value if the same mass is brought to the earth?

Solution: A 10-kg mass would weigh only 16.2 N on the moon since F_g = mg_moon = (10 kg)(1.62 m/s^2) = 16.2 N

And It would weigh (10 kg)(9.8 m/s^2) = 98 N on earth