Difference between revisions of "Free Fall"
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==Key Stage 5== | ==Key Stage 5== | ||
===Meaning=== | ===Meaning=== | ||
| − | The [[acceleration]] of [[Free Fall|free fall]] is the [[acceleration]] experienced by an [[object]] only under the influence of [[gravity]], typically 9. | + | The [[acceleration]] of [[Free Fall|free fall]] is the [[acceleration]] experienced by an [[object]] only under the influence of [[gravity]], typically 9.8m/s² on Earth. |
===About Free Fall=== | ===About Free Fall=== | ||
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*It is constant for all [[object]]s near the [[Earth]]’s surface regardless of their [[mass]]. | *It is constant for all [[object]]s near the [[Earth]]’s surface regardless of their [[mass]]. | ||
*Represented by the symbol 'g'. | *Represented by the symbol 'g'. | ||
| + | *In the absence of [[drag]], all [[object]]s fall with the same [[acceleration]] due to [[gravity]]. | ||
| + | *The value of g decreases with altitude and is slightly different at the poles and the equator due to the [[Earth]]’s shape. | ||
| + | *[[Galileo]]'s experiments demonstrated that [[object]]s fall at the same rate irrespective of their [[mass]]. | ||
| + | *[[Free Fall|Free fall]] [[acceleration]] is used in various physics equations such as s = ut + 0.5gt² for distance and v = u + gt for final velocity. | ||
===Examples=== | ===Examples=== | ||
Latest revision as of 10:37, 19 May 2024
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Free fall is when an object accelerates due to only its weight due to gravity.
About Free Fall
- During free fall the only force acting on an object is its weight due to gravity.
- Objects in a gravitational field accelerate at a rate which is the same as the gravitational field strength.
- All objects in free fall will accelerate at the same rate, regardless of their mass or weight. However, objects do not always free fall due to air resistance. For example a feather and a hammer have the same rate of free fall in a vacuum but in an atmosphere air resistance has a greater effect on the feather so they appear to accelerate at different rates.
- Objects on Earth accelerate during free fall at a rate of 9.8m/s/s.
Key Stage 5
Meaning
The acceleration of free fall is the acceleration experienced by an object only under the influence of gravity, typically 9.8m/s² on Earth.
About Free Fall
- Also known as gravitational acceleration.
- It is constant for all objects near the Earth’s surface regardless of their mass.
- Represented by the symbol 'g'.
- In the absence of drag, all objects fall with the same acceleration due to gravity.
- The value of g decreases with altitude and is slightly different at the poles and the equator due to the Earth’s shape.
- Galileo's experiments demonstrated that objects fall at the same rate irrespective of their mass.
- Free fall acceleration is used in various physics equations such as s = ut + 0.5gt² for distance and v = u + gt for final velocity.
Examples
- Objects in a vacuum chamber fall at the same rate regardless of their mass.
- Free fall rides in amusement parks simulate this acceleration.