You just landed on the planet Olympus IV, famous for its sports competitions. It's a light planet: the average density is one quarter of the Earths average density. It's also a large planet: the diameter is the double of the Earths diameter. The Olympians are giving a high jump competition, and one crew member takes part. You know that on Earth he jumps 1.98 meters. The record at Olympus IV is 3.86 meters. Should you bet your salary on him winning the competition ?

(In reply to re: About Nine-tenths of an answer. by Charlie)

My physics calculations concur that the force of gravity on Olympus IV is half that of Earth. Everything else being equal, your fellow crew member should double his 1.98 meters and win handily with a jump of 3.96 meters. (.1 meters above the record)

That said, the physical act of high-jumping is quite nuanced, and let me point out a significant detail: Even if your fellow crew member is able to somehow teach himself to move and time his steps and deal with the thin atmosphere he cannot change the size of his body...

The Fosbury flop: Being from Earth, he is certainly skilled at the technique of throwing his body into an arch to overcome the bar. What is significant about the flop is that the center of gravity of the jumper is actually below the height of the bar! When he jumps on Earth he lifts his center of gravity from .98 meters to about 1.86 meters and clears 1.98 meters using this technique. If on Olympus IV he is then able to double his jump, this will only apply to how high he is able to raise his center of gravity. (.98 + 2x.98 meters = 2.94 meters) Since his body is still the same size, his flop technique will still only buy him another .12 meters making his final jump a disappointing 3.06 meters. I think my crewmember will be in for some serious disappointment.

I'd rather keep my salary for those high-priced Olympus IV T-shirts
Edited on March 14, 2005, 2:59 pm

Posted by Eric on 2005-03-14 14:40:21