Free Fall

Conceptual Physics
What is free fall?
Motion under the influence of
gravitational force only.

When you free fall do you fall at
a constant rate?
Acceleration
Look at the data:

Use the equation above to
solve for the acceleration
of an object in free fall.


Time (s) Velocity (m/s)
0 0
1 10
2 20
3 30
4 40
What does the 10
m/s
2
represent?
Can you write this
relationship as an
equation?
a = v / t
a = v
2
v
1

t
2
t
1

Is there a relationship
between velocity and
time because of this
acceleration?
v = g t
How Fast?
To find the instantaneous speed of an
object in free fall use the following
equation:
V = g t
Check Yourself :
Be Fo Yo Reck Yo self, Word!
What would be the speedometer reading on a falling
rock 4.5 seconds after it drops from rest?

How about 8 seconds?
How far?
Time (s) Distance (m)
0 0
1 5
2 20
3 45
4 80
5 125
Can you find the
mathematical relationship
between time and distance?
(hint: dont forget g!)
d = g (t
2
)
Find the distance
an object will fall
after 8 seconds of
free fall.

Kids if you plan to have kids
prepare to have to do this
And miss the Eagles
Cowboys game from
4 rows off the 30
yard line!
How long?
Rearrange the distance
equation to solve for the time
the object falls?
T = 2 d / g
How long has this
skydiver free fallen
if he falls for 80
meters?

Double Check Yourself :
Be Fo Yo Riggity Reck Yo self,
Ya Heard!
An object is dropped from rest and falls freely. After 6
seconds, calculate its instantaneous speed and distance fallen.
Calculate the instantaneous speed and
distance fallen for an object that falls
freely from rest for 8 seconds.

Instan. Speed
V = g t
V= 10 m/s
2
* 6s
V = 60 m/s
Distance
d = g t
2
d = 10m/s
2
* 6s
2
d = 180 m
Distance
d = g t
2
d = 10m/s
2
* 8s
2
d = 320 m
Instan. Speed
V = g t
V= 10 m/s
2
* 8s
V = 80 m/s
More Practice
An object falls a distance of 125m. What is its
instantaneous speed just before it hits the ground?
(hint: find t then find v)
FYI: DaVincis Parachute
This is DaVincis 1493
parachute design

This is the
modern reproduction
of his sketch.

His design
is highly
functional!
Ready or not here he comes!
Mr. Needum prepares for his
first big jump of the season.
Hi
Honey!