An object is dropped to the ground on earth or the moon. Which one releases the most energy on impact?

Answer 1

Gravitational potential energy is proportional to the force due to gravity times the distance the object is elevated above the ground, or another relevent surface. As the object falls, this potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, until it reaches the ground; at which point its potential energy is zero and its kinetic energy is maximal.

During the collision, the ground and the air around it absorb and convert the energy into vibrations, heat, sound, and possibly plastic deformation (denting) of the surface.

If the two objects are of equal wieght and are lifted an equal distance, the object dropped on the earth will "release" more energy because it had more potential energy to begin with.

Answer 2

The energy would be greater on the Earth.

When the obect hits the ground it has released all its energy in the form of kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy is given by K = 1/2 m v^2

where K is the kinetic energy, m is the mass, and v is the velocity of the object. Intuitivly we know what v will be greater on Earth than the Moom because gravity is bringing the object down faster.

Further, by conservation of energy we know that the kinetic energy when the object hits the ground is equal to the potential energy before the object was released. The potential energy is given by E = m g h. Where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity and h is the height above the height which is determined to be zero potential (the ground in this case).

g is less on the moon than on Earth so the potential energy of the object would be less, and also the kinetic energy released upon impact would also be less.

Answer 3

The potential energy of an object is defined by the equation:

E = m*g*h

where m is the object's mass, g the gravitational acceleration, and h is the distance above the ground. The two objects will have the same values for m and h, but the value for g on the moon is roughly one-sixth that of the earth. Therefore, the object dropped on the Earth will have the greatest potential energy.

Assuming the coefficient of restitution is the same for the both surfaces, and that the object has a low drag coefficient (i.e., no parachute-like device), the Earthbound object will release the most energy.

Answer 4

The energy you are thinking of is called inertia which is mathematically derived as Mass * Velocity. If we were to assume that we are talking about dropping the same object from the same distance above ground, then the object dropped on earth would exert more force due to a higher gravitic pull. The earth has gravity nearly 6 times that of the moon, so if an object fell for the same amount of time on both earth and moon, the object on the earth would have 6 times the velocity as the object dropped on the moon.

Answer 5

All other things being equal, the energy released at impact would be greater on the earth. This is because it would take more energy to raise the object to a certain height on the earth than it would on the moon due to the Earth's stronger gravitational field.

Answer 6

You guys are close, but wrong... it depends on what is being dropped.

If you're dropping a hammer, sure the stronger gravitation pull on Earth will result in a higher velocity on impact (more momentum) and more energy will be imparted.

However, if you drop a feather, the impact on Earth would result in a minuscule energy release because the feather's velocity would be greatly reduced by wind drag. On the moon, the feather would land with the same velocity as the hammer and would hence impart much more energy than it's Earth-bound sibling.

And what if you dropped a tiny piece of lint fuzz? You see what I mean?

Answer 7

From rest at same heigth? If so - answer is earth as best illistrated from the fact that gravitational potential energy = (mass)x(gravitational constant)x(heigth). PE is converted to KE during fall and is the energy of the body just prior to impact (less losses). Gravitational constant of earth = 9.81 m/s^2 and for the moon is it 1.6 m/s^2.

Answer 8

Gravitational Potential = m * g * h

g is 6 times greater on the surface of the earth as it is on the surface of the moon, so for the same mass and height, you get more energy on the earth.

Answer 9

Okay, I agree with Hammer-and-Feather guy (excelguru). Yes, the potential energy is greater on Earth, but the maximum velocity on earth (terminal velocity) is determined by the air drag if the initial height is high enough. Try skydiving on the moon, where there is no air, and tell me which one hurts more on the landing.

Answer 10

If I had to choose between dropping a bowling ball on my foot on the moon or on earth, I would choose earth as it would hurt less do to less energy. Wait I would choose the moon, never been there, it would be worth the pain!!!!!!!