# 2.7 Falling objects

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• Describe the effects of gravity on objects in motion.
• Describe the motion of objects that are in free fall.
• Calculate the position and velocity of objects in free fall.

Falling objects form an interesting class of motion problems. For example, we can estimate the depth of a vertical mine shaft by dropping a rock into it and listening for the rock to hit the bottom. By applying the kinematics developed so far to falling objects, we can examine some interesting situations and learn much about gravity in the process.

## Gravity

The most remarkable and unexpected fact about falling objects is that, if air resistance and friction are negligible, then in a given location all objects fall toward the center of Earth with the same constant acceleration , independent of their mass . This experimentally determined fact is unexpected, because we are so accustomed to the effects of air resistance and friction that we expect light objects to fall slower than heavy ones.

In the real world, air resistance can cause a lighter object to fall slower than a heavier object of the same size. A tennis ball will reach the ground after a hard baseball dropped at the same time. (It might be difficult to observe the difference if the height is not large.) Air resistance opposes the motion of an object through the air, while friction between objects—such as between clothes and a laundry chute or between a stone and a pool into which it is dropped—also opposes motion between them. For the ideal situations of these first few chapters, an object falling without air resistance or friction is defined to be in free-fall    .

The force of gravity causes objects to fall toward the center of Earth. The acceleration of free-falling objects is therefore called the acceleration due to gravity    . The acceleration due to gravity is constant , which means we can apply the kinematics equations to any falling object where air resistance and friction are negligible. This opens a broad class of interesting situations to us. The acceleration due to gravity is so important that its magnitude is given its own symbol, $g$ . It is constant at any given location on Earth and has the average value

$g=9\text{.}{\text{80 m/s}}^{2}\text{.}$

Although $g$ varies from $9\text{.}{\text{78 m/s}}^{2}$ to  $9\text{.}{\text{83 m/s}}^{2}$ , depending on latitude, altitude, underlying geological formations, and local topography, the average value of $9\text{.}{\text{80 m/s}}^{2}$ will be used in this text unless otherwise specified. The direction of the acceleration due to gravity is downward (towards the center of Earth) . In fact, its direction defines what we call vertical. Note that whether the acceleration $a$ in the kinematic equations has the value $+g$ or $-g$ depends on how we define our coordinate system. If we define the upward direction as positive, then $a=-g=-9\text{.}{\text{80 m/s}}^{2}$ , and if we define the downward direction as positive, then $a=g=9\text{.}{\text{80 m/s}}^{2}$ .

Describe an experiment to determine short half life
what is science
A 20MH coil has a resistance of 50 ohms and us connected in series with a capacitor to a 520MV supply
what is physics
it is the science which we used in our daily life
Sujitha
Physics is the branch of science that deals with the study of matter and the interactions it undergoes with energy
Junior
it is branch of science which deals with study of happening in the human life
AMIT
it is when you get up of your arse and do some real work 😁
A 20MH coil has a resistance of 50 ohms and is connected in series with a capacitor to a 250MV supply if the circuit is to resonate at 100KHZ, Determine 1: the capacitance of the capacitor 2: the working voltage of the circuit, given that pie =3.142
Musa
Heat is transfered by thermal contact but if it is transfered by conduction or radiation, is it possible to reach in thermal equilibrium?
Yes, It is possible by conduction if Surface is Adiabatic
Astronomy
what are the fundamentals qualities
what is physic3
Kalilu
what is physic
Kalilu
Physics? Is a branch of science dealing with matter in relation to energy.
Moses
Physic... Is a purging medicine, which stimulates evacuation of the bowels.
Moses
are you asking for qualities or quantities?
Noman
give examples of three dimensional frame of reference
your fat arse sitting all day is a good reference of three dimensional numbnut
Universe
Noman
Yes the Universe itself
Astronomy
Examine different types of shoes, including sports shoes and thongs. In terms of physics, why are the bottom surfaces designed as they are? What differences will dry and wet conditions make for these surfaces?
sports shoes are designed in such a way they are gripped well with your feet and their bases have and high friction surfaces, Thong shoes are for comfort, these are easily removed and light weight. these are usually low friction surfaces but in wet conditions they offer greater friction.
Noman
thong sleepers are usually used in restrooms.
Noman
what is wave
The phenomenon of transfer of energy
Noman
how does time flow in one dimension
you mean in three dimensions......numbnut
yeah that was a mistake
Lord
if it flows in three dimensions does it mean if an object theoretically moves beyond the speed of light it won't experience time
Lord
time seems to flow in one direction...but I the past present and future happen every moment time flies regardless.
but if an object moves beyond the speed of light time stops right for it
Lord
yes but at light speed it ceases
Lord
yes it always flow from past to future.
Noman
if v=ktx Ly Mz find the value of x,y and z
x=v=ktx Ly Mz find the value of x,y and z
y=v=ktx Ly Mz find the value of x,y and z
z=v=ktx Ly Mz find the value of x,y and z
now get your lazy arse up and clean the kitchen 😁
I want to join the conversation
😂
hmm
Stephen
what conversation you talking about? .....numbnut
how do i calculate for period of the oscillation
T=2π√(m÷k).K is spring constance
Ambe
T=2π√m/k
Lord
does the force in a system result in the energy transfer?
full meaning of GPS system
global positioning system
Noman
what's the use of the GPS
Matthew