📚 What is Free Fall Motion?
Free fall motion is a specific case in physics where an object falls solely under the influence of gravity. This means the only force acting upon the object is the gravitational force. Air resistance is considered negligible or absent in ideal free fall scenarios.
Quick Study Guide
- 🍎 Definition: Motion under the influence of gravity alone.
- ⚙️ Acceleration: Constant acceleration due to gravity, approximately $g = 9.8 m/s^2$ on Earth.
- 💡 Assumptions: No air resistance.
- ➗ Key Equations:
- $v = v_0 + gt$ (velocity)
- $y = y_0 + v_0t + \frac{1}{2}gt^2$ (position)
- $v^2 = v_0^2 + 2g(y - y_0)$ (velocity-position)
- 📝 Note: $v_0$ is initial velocity, $y_0$ is initial position, $t$ is time.
Practice Quiz
-
A skydiver jumps from a plane. Before opening their parachute, are they in free fall?
- A) Yes, always
- B) Only initially, before air resistance becomes significant
- C) No, because of air resistance
- D) Only if they jump upwards
-
What is the approximate value of acceleration due to gravity on Earth?
- A) $1.6 m/s^2$
- B) $9.8 m/s^2$
- C) $3.7 m/s^2$
- D) $24 m/s^2$
-
An object is thrown upwards. At the highest point of its trajectory, what is its velocity?
- A) $9.8 m/s$
- B) Constant and non-zero
- C) Zero
- D) Depends on the initial velocity
-
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of free fall motion?
- A) Constant acceleration
- B) Influence of gravity
- C) Air resistance is negligible
- D) Variable acceleration
-
A ball is dropped from a tall building. How does its velocity change over time (ignoring air resistance)?
- A) Remains constant
- B) Decreases
- C) Increases
- D) Increases then decreases
-
What is the primary force acting on an object in free fall?
- A) Applied Force
- B) Tension
- C) Gravity
- D) Friction
-
A feather and a bowling ball are dropped in a vacuum. Which one hits the ground first?
- A) The feather
- B) The bowling ball
- C) They hit at the same time
- D) It depends on the height
Click to see Answers
- B
- B
- C
- D
- C
- C
- C