Demonstrating Martian Gravity

TL;DR

This paper presents a computer simulation and experimental verification of Martian gravity effects on falling objects, demonstrating how Earth's air resistance can mimic Martian surface gravity for educational and research purposes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel simulation method that replicates Martian gravity on Earth using air resistance and buoyancy effects, validated through experiments.

Findings

Simulation accurately models Martian gravity effects

Experimental results confirm simulation validity

Low-density objects fall slower, mimicking Mars conditions

Abstract

The surface gravity on Mars is smaller than the surface gravity on Earth, resulting in longer falling times. This effect can be simulated on Earth by taking advantage of air resistance and buoyancy, which cause low density objects to fall slowly enough to approximate objects falling on the surface of Mars. We describe a computer simulation based on an experiment that approximates Martian gravity, and verify our numerical results by performing the experiment.