On the moon a feather and a bolt are dropped from the same height at the same time. Which one reaches the ground first? Why?

Question

jamesj · Answer

Both objects have only one force acting on them: the force of gravity due to the moon.

Hence both accelerate at the same rate.

Therefore both reach the ground at the same time.

anonymous · Answer

so you're saying that when we drop an elephant and a mouse  from the same height at the same time ( on the moon of course) then they will both reach the ground at the same time..

that's true but very hard imagine right (:

jamesj · Answer

yes.  And they'll be very dead too.

jamesj · Answer

The critical point is there is no air resistance, unlike on earth.

The Apollo astronauts on the first moon trip did an experiment exactly like this.  No elephants though.

jamesj · Answer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C5_dOEyAfk

anonymous · Answer

Very cool video.

anonymous · Answer

this goes to show that there is no atmosphere near moon