A jump on the Moon: six times higher

A boy jumps at the same speed as on Earth, but gravity here is lunar (1.62 m/s²). Marks show the jump height on Earth and on the Moon.

2D Age 6+10 min GravityProjectile motion

Loading simulation…

Press “Run”. Bodies move by the laws of physics: gravity, friction, elasticity.

What the experiment shows

Jump height depends not only on leg strength but on gravity. At 2.5 m/s you rise 32 cm on Earth but nearly 2 m on the Moon.

How to run it

Press “Run”: after a second the jumper jumps.
Compare the jump with the green mark (“on Earth”) and the red one (“on the Moon”).
In the frame properties set g = 3.7 (Mars) and repeat.

Questions to discuss

How many times higher does he go on the Moon here?
How long is the jumper in the air on the Moon compared with Earth?

The science

Jump height is h = v²/(2g). For the same take-off speed the height is inversely proportional to g: the Moon’s g is 6 times smaller, so the jump is 6 times higher and lasts 6 times longer. The jumper’s mass does not matter.

Try it at home

Jump on the spot and measure the height against a wall. Now multiply by six — that is your Moon jump.

What to change in the editor

Set g = 9.81 — the jump reaches the green mark.
Increase the jump speed in the rule.