The weight of an object on the surface of the Moon is approximately how much of its weight on Earth?

Introduction / Context:
Questions about gravity on different celestial bodies are common in physics and general science. Weight depends on the gravitational pull of the body where the object is located, while mass remains constant. The Moon has much weaker gravity than Earth. This question asks you to recall the approximate fraction of Earth weight that an object would have on the Moon. Knowing this simple ratio helps in understanding space missions, astronaut movement, and basic gravitational concepts.

Given Data / Assumptions:
– The comparison is between an object's weight on Earth and the same object's weight on the Moon.
– Options are equal to, 1/6th, 1/2, and 1/5th of the Earth weight.
– We assume standard textbook approximation that lunar surface gravity is about one sixth of Earth gravity.
– Mass of the object is considered constant; only gravitational acceleration changes.

Concept / Approach:
Weight is defined as the gravitational force on an object and is calculated as W = m * g, where m is mass and g is acceleration due to gravity. On Earth, g is about 9.8 m/s^2, often approximated as 10 m/s^2 for simple calculations. On the Moon, g is about 1.6 m/s^2. The ratio of Moon gravity to Earth gravity is therefore roughly 1.6 / 9.8, which is close to 1/6. Thus an object that weighs 60 newtons on Earth would weigh about 10 newtons on the Moon. This explains the commonly quoted fact that weight on the Moon is approximately one sixth of the weight on Earth.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that g on Earth is about 9.8 m/s^2 and g on the Moon is about 1.6 m/s^2. Step 2: Compute the ratio of lunar gravity to Earth gravity as 1.6 / 9.8, which is near 1/6. Step 3: Understand that weight is directly proportional to g, so if g is one sixth, the weight is also one sixth. Step 4: Conclude that the weight of an object on the Moon is approximately 1/6th of its weight on Earth.

Verification / Alternative check:
Physics textbooks and educational resources frequently state that lunar gravity is about one sixth of Earth gravity, often illustrated with examples of astronauts jumping higher on the Moon. Worked examples might show an object of mass 10 kilograms weighing 98 newtons on Earth and only about 16 newtons on the Moon. These numerical demonstrations reinforce the 1/6th relationship. No reliable source suggests that weight is half or one fifth of the Earth value; those fractions would not match the known gravitational acceleration on the Moon.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
equal to: If weight were equal on the Moon and Earth, that would mean the gravitational acceleration is the same, which contradicts measured values and observed lunar conditions.
1/2: Half of Earth gravity would be about 4.9 m/s^2, which is much higher than the actual lunar gravity of about 1.6 m/s^2, so this option is incorrect.
1/5th: One fifth suggests a gravity of about 2 m/s^2; while closer than 1/2, it still does not match the more accurate ratio, and the standard approximation used in textbooks is one sixth, not one fifth.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to remember vaguely that Moon gravity is less than Earth gravity but not recall the precise fraction, which may lead to random guesses like 1/2 or 1/5. Another pitfall is to confuse mass and weight and think they both change between Earth and Moon. In reality, mass remains the same, but weight changes with g. To avoid confusion, memorise the simple statement that lunar gravity is about one sixth of Earth gravity and practice with small numerical examples which will fix the fraction in your mind.

Final Answer:
The weight of an object on the Moon is approximately 1/6th of its weight on Earth.