Astronomy/gravity and moon

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Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 9/27/2008


Question
i was doing my homework and i came across a question which i am stuck on its the weekend though and my homework is due in on monday so please answer this question quickly!!! thank you. its about the gravity on the moon which i now is 1.6 newtons. but my question is: why would picking something up on the moon be harder then picking something up on Earth???

please hurry up with the answer!!!

thank you
yours sincerly
rachael age 13

Answer
Hi Racheal.

The gravity on the Moon is one sixth the gravity of the Earth, so picking things up on the moon is EASIER and not harder.  As far as weight.

It may be harder because the astronauts have space suits and gloves on, and picking up things with the suits and gloves on is not easy.

Steve  

Astronomy

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Steven LJ Russo

Expertise

As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.

Experience

Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.

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