how do hitting a golf ball in the moon differ from hitting a golf ball on the earth?
2007-08-21 10:18:24 · 13 answers · asked by Dan 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The acceleration due to gravity is only about 1/6th as large on the Moon as it is on Earth. Leaving aside the relative unfamiliarity that might affect one's swing, and details like how much the Earth's atmospher might both hinder but also aid the "flight" of a golf ball, one thing is clear:
For a given swing, the maximum range on the Moon could be 6 times the distance you could hit the golfball on Earth!
(Expressions like V^2/g enter into all distance or height calculations.)
Live long and prosper.
2007-08-21 10:23:27 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Spock 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Moon's gravity is just one sixth of the earth so the ball will travel much more distance for the same force applied and also there is no atmosphere on moon, so there is atmospheric friction. Thus the ball will travel greater distances over moon. But going around the lunar surface in that bulky space suit is not easy.
2007-08-21 10:31:03 · answer #2 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolute zero. For leaving the moon, you need to get the ball to about 2600 m/s (On Earth, this would be almost Mach 8). As you also have to swing your arms that fast, you can be sure, it is physically impossible to reach this speed with a golf club. Also, if the ball left the moon to return to Earth, he would have already reached Earth only days afterwards.
2016-05-19 01:52:46 · answer #3 · answered by mirian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well with very little gravity i imagine it would be difficult to get your swing right and also because there is little gravity there is nothing acting apoun the ball to bring it back to the surface of the moon
2007-08-21 10:22:30 · answer #4 · answered by Christine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reduced gravity also means less friction to keep you standing during a full swing. Better keep your feet wide apart. See the link (pun intended) below for the rules!
2007-08-21 10:46:48 · answer #5 · answered by sevenletters4me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Less gravity, no air resistance. Also, with no air, the dimples wouldn't assist with spinning the ball, so shanking/slicing would be different.
2007-08-21 10:22:02 · answer #6 · answered by meichx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
uh, there are some differences... well al ot
1) it will obviously go farther
2) It would pretty much just float in the air
3)you won't be able to hit it that hard do to gravity, you'd go slow...
4) and uh... it will probably keep floating lol
2007-08-21 10:25:17 · answer #7 · answered by ULikeyDaMuffinz? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you would need a big driver on the moon to get closer to the hole back on earth.....or just a putter if the hole was on the moon
2007-08-21 10:23:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No risk of the wretched thing landing in a lake.
2007-08-21 10:50:06 · answer #9 · answered by rosie recipe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lack of gravity on the moon.
2007-08-21 10:21:15 · answer #10 · answered by angelsmooth23 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋