Question

In science, force is measured in Newtons (N). Here on Earth, the force of gravity measures 1 Newton. However, gravitational force differs depending on where you are in the universe. Suppose a person who jumps on Earth returns to the ground in 0.4 seconds. On Phobos, the same jumper will take 6.4 minutes to return to the ground. How many times longer would it be on Phobos than on Earth for the jumper to return to the ground? Explain.

A) 960 times longer

B) 240 times longer

C) 16 times longer

D) 4 times longer

Answer 1

To compare the jumper's landing time on Phobos to Earth, we convert 6.4 minutes to seconds (384 seconds) and divide it by the time on Earth (0.4 seconds), yielding the result that on Phobos it would take 960 times longer for the jumper to return to the ground.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking us to compare the time it takes for a person jumping on Earth to land back on the ground with the time it would take for the same person to land back on the ground if they were on Phobos, one of Mars' moons. We must convert 6.4 minutes into seconds in order to compare the times directly. There are 60 seconds in a minute, so 6.4 minutes is equal to 6.4 x 60, which is 384 seconds. On Earth, the time to return to the ground is given as 0.4 seconds. To find out how many times longer it takes on Phobos, we divide the time on Phobos by the time on Earth, which is 384 seconds / 0.4 seconds = 960. Therefore, the answer is (A) 960 times longer.