In general, planets with more mass have stronger surface gravity. If you were to visit another planet, you would find that your weight would not be the same as it is on Earth. How high can you jump on other planets?
Students are provided with relative scaling factors for the surface gravity of the Sun, the other planets in our Solar System, Pluto (a dwarf planet) and the Moon. With this information they calculate and compare the heights of their jumps and the reading that bathroom scales (calibrated on Earth) would have if they were to stand on the different bodies in the Solar System.
What you need
- Download student activity (menu at right)
- Metre ruler
- Pencil
- Paper
- Adhesive tape
- Scales
