Can we fly on Mars?

Name_________________________________

Prove or Disprove: The force of gravity

on Mars would enable us to fly

Determining your Earthly jump-abilities.

What to do in Pairs
1. Tape the meter stick against a table leg or the wall so that it is vertical
2. The recorder will knell/squat/sit down to get a good view of the ruler.
3. The jumper will jump as high as they can (from a flat standing start).
4. Recorder writes down the highest point cleared by the jumpers feet.
5. Repeat 3 times, and switch jobs.

Table 1 Determine Your Earthly Jump

Student Name

Jump height no.

1 (in)

Jump height no.

2 (in)

Jump height no.

3 (in)

Average height (h)

(1+2+3)/3 (in)

Hey Watch out! You almost
hit my feet with your laser
eyes!

Can we fly on Mars?

Name_________________________________

Write the average value for h ( your average height) in table 2.

Table 2 Converting Your Earthly Jumps

Member of the
Solar System

Surface
Gravity
Compared to
Earth

Mercury

Fill in your earthly

jump h in all the
blanks

0.38

Solve to see how

high you could
jump on other
planets (maybe)

Rank Um!

___/ 0.38 =
Venus

0.91

Earth

Mars

0.38

___/ 0.91 =
___
___/ 0.38 =
Jupiter

2.36

Saturn

0.92

Neptune

1.12

___ / 2.36 =
___ / 0.92 =
___ / 1.12 =
Pluto (dwarf
planet)
Sun

0.06

___ / 0.06 =
27.9

___/ 27.9 =
Moon

0.16

___/ 0.16 =