Final answer:
Astronauts can jump higher on the Moon because its gravitational acceleration is about 1/6 that of Earth's, allowing for a jump 6 times higher with the same takeoff speed. The correct answer is that the Moon is less massive than Earth, leading to lower gravitational pull.
Step-by-step explanation:
Astronauts on the Moon can jump higher than if they were on Earth. This is because the gravitational acceleration on the Moon is about 1/6 that of Earth. Given the same takeoff speed, an astronaut could jump approximately 6 times higher on the Moon than on Earth because the acceleration due to gravity is the primary factor affecting how high an object thrown upwards can go before coming back down.
When we ignore other factors such as air resistance and assume that the takeoff speed is the same in both places, the reduced gravity on the Moon allows for a much higher jump. This has nothing to do with the mass of the astronaut, as the mass remains the same regardless of the location. The correct answer, therefore, is D. the Moon is less massive than the Earth, resulting in lower gravitational pull. Rockets are also more efficient in outer space than in Earth's atmosphere due to the lack of air resistance, further demonstrating the influence of different environmental factors on motion.