Energy Conservation With Conservative Forces: If a spring-operated gun can shoot a pellet to a maximum height of 100 m on Earth, how high could the pellet rise if fired on the Moon, where g

h' = 603.08 m

Explanation:

First, we will calculate the initial velocity of the pellet on the surface of Earth by using third equation of motion:

2gh = Vf² - Vi²

where,

g = acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth = - 9.8 m/s² (negative sign due to upward motion)

h = height of pellet = 100 m

Vf = final velocity of pellet = 0 m/s (since, pellet will momentarily stop at highest point)

Vi = Initial Velocity of Pellet = ?

Therefore,

(2)(-9.8 m/s²)(100 m) = (0 m/s)² - Vi²

Vi = √(1960 m²/s²)

Vi = 44.27 m/s

Now, we use this equation at the surface of moon with same initial velocity:

2g'h' = Vf² - Vi²

where,

g' = acceleration due to gravity on the surface of moon = 1.625 m/s²

h' = maximum height gained by pellet on moon = ?

Therefore,

2(1.625 m/s²)h' = (44.27 m/s)² - (0 m/s)²

h' = (1960 m²/s²)/(3.25 m/s²)

h' = 603.08 m