If you're standing on the Moon holding a pen, and you let go
Thought this deserved some looking at:
can you answer these questions right?
13. If you are standing on the Moon, and holding a rock, and you let it go, it will:
(a) float away
(b) float where it is
(c) move sideways
(d) fall to the ground
(e) none of the above
25. When the Apollo astronauts wre on the Moon, they did not fall off because:
(a) the Earth's gravity extends to the Moon
(b) the Moon has gravity
(c) they wore heavy boots
(d) they had safety ropes
(e) they had spiked shoes
My prediction is that most of you will get the question right, as instructables is a scientific community.
Check the link for details
http://www.phys.ufl.edu/~det/phy2060/heavyboots.html
Discussions
10 years ago
Here's one to think about, since you've all been exposed to WRONG pictures, although you might KNOW the actual numbers... You make a SCALE model of the earth/moon system. You use one of those beach-ball earth globes for the earth, and it's 30cm in diameter. How big will the (scale) moon be, and how far away from the beach-ball does it need to be?
Reply 10 years ago
. Wow! I was pretty close on the size, but waaaaayyyyy off on the distance. I placed it much closer.
Reply 9 years ago
"Is it me or is it hot in here?" "No it's you,your butt's on fire"
Reply 10 years ago
Here's a follow up to put things even further into perspective: Once you've gotten Westfw's answer correct, where do you put the sun (i.e., how far away), and how big should you make it?
Reply 10 years ago
Next you'll want me to put Pluto in there...oh wait it's not a planet anymore, so it's all good.
Reply 10 years ago
Poor Pluto :(
Reply 9 years ago
Pluto was never a planet!
Reply 10 years ago
I go the other way - I start with a beachball as the Sun, then 50m away I hold a dried pea to be the Earth, and 4cm from that I hold a mustard seed as the Moon.
Reply 10 years ago
True! If I were building a solar-system model I'd always start with the Sun and work outward. However, given Westfw's original question, I wanted to put things into that perspective.
Reply 10 years ago
Oh, and the answer to that question -- use a softball, and put it 1/3 of the way to first base (assuming the Earth is at home place).
10 years ago
Not as science-ey, and not multiple choice, but the answer to this question clearly indicates whether or not you've got the concept down: What is 100% of 37?
Reply 9 years ago
Reply 9 years ago
You got it, Goodhart. :)
It's not a trick question, but it's so simple that It's a little hard to believe that it isn't. This one's a little easier that way, but still stumped many of my mother's 9th grade math students: What is 37% of 100?
Reply 9 years ago
Reply 9 years ago
100 % of N is the same as that same N % of 100.
Reply 9 years ago
a percentage, preposition, integer and eroteme!
9 years ago
D & B.
10 years ago
13. d 25. b Easy
Reply 9 years ago
A heavy base (where there is gravity) makes for a steady stance.
10 years ago
13: D, as the moon has gravity, though weaker than Earth's 25: B, as the moon has gravity, though weaker than Earth's
10 years ago
If 'you' let the pen go on the moon' it would just float away 'from me'
Reply 10 years ago
10 years ago
13. E 25. D
10 years ago
#13 is d. #25 is b.
Reply 10 years ago
#13 is poorly worded, e would be a perfectly reasonable answer also.
Reply 10 years ago
How? Is "fall to the ground" not a sufficiently good explanation?
Reply 10 years ago
No, it is not, since one of the definitions of ground is "The surface of the Earth", an unambiguous statement would have been "fall to the surface of the moon".
Reply 10 years ago
Maybe he thought "the ground" implied earth ground. BTW, what other alternative is there?
10 years ago
Giving the choices is part of it. Often when people know nothing about a subject they will quickly select an option if they are offered. It's a bit like "man-in-the-pub" - a person doesn't understand the conversation, but will pick a position they think is best in order to join-in. Don't give choices and the answers are different. L
Reply 10 years ago
true that. in a way it kinda observes how inefficient multiple choice questions can be
Reply 10 years ago
The problem with multi-guess tests is you would have to know the subject fairly well and deliberately try, in order to score nothing. Random blindfolded choices will count for something. That is unless, you score by knocking points off for wrong answers. L
Reply 10 years ago
Fast Show at all?
Reply 10 years ago
Yes the Fast Show did exploit the classic man-in-the-pub situation. That wasn't specifically what I was thinking of but it comes from the same source, worthwhile reference. L
10 years ago
eee I would say D and B... The two answers go together...
10 years ago
D and B.
10 years ago
Good grief.
All modern education is getting utterly (censored).
Reply 10 years ago
What's wrong kiteman? The modern day principle of "it's multiple choice or I'm confused as hell" got you down?
Reply 10 years ago
>word<
The typical response to a question is "What page is the answer on?"
Reply 10 years ago
Shout to the lady that the thieves are coming!
Reply 10 years ago
It's surprising to see what I thought were obvious answers aren't necessarily obvious or "common sense" to people who haven't really applied the information in their life.