Entry Exam Category: High School Equivalency Exams
Course: General Education Development (GED)
Exam: GED Science and Practice Test
Practice Question
Extract
While exploring the Moon during the Apollo 15 mission, astronaut David Scott held a 1.32-kg geological hammer in one hand and a 0.03-kg falcon feather in the other, releasing them from the same height. The Moon has no air resistance and the acceleration due to gravity is only 1.6 m/s'. The two objects landed on the surface of the Moon at the same time.
What is the relationship between the kinetic energy of the feather and of the hammer just before they hit the surface of the Moon?
Answer Choices
- A: The hammer has more kinetic energy than the feather because it has a greater mass.
- B: Both objects have the same kinetic energy because they fell with the same velocity.
- C: The hammer has more kinetic energy than the feather because it will accelerate faster than the feather.
- D: Both objects have the same kinetic energy because gravity pulls on both objects equally.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Kinetic energy = 1/2*m*v^2. Both objects fall at the same velocity (no air resistance), but the hammer’s greater mass gives it higher kinetic energy.