Problem 5

1 Problem Description:
Here, we will analyse the motion of a freely falling body neglecting fluid resistance and
buoyant force of the medium. But here we will consider the effect of variation of g with
height. We obtain solutions computationally using Euler’s method. We analyse the mo-
tion for air.

2 Assumptions:
1. Body is a point object
2. Motion is one-dimensional
3. No fluid resistance
4. No buoyant force due to the medium

3 Mathematical Model:
3.1 Differential Equations:
Let origin O be a point on the ground and the positive direction of Y − axis be perpendic-
ular to the ground surface. According to Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation,
GM
g= (1)
(R + y)2
where G is the universal constant of gravitation, M and R are the mass and radius of
Earth, respectively and y is the height of the body above the surface of the Earth. So,
acceleration is

dv GM
= −g = − (2)
dt (R + y)2
and
dy
=v (3)
dt

3.2 Difference Equations:

The corresponding difference equations are:
GM
vi+1 = vi − dt (4)
(R + yi )2
yi+1 = yi + vi dt (5)

1
3.3 Initial Conditions:
In free fall, since the object is initially at rest,

v0 = v(0) = 0

and the initial height is some positive value h0 . So,

h(0) = h0

3.4 Other Parameters:

1. M = 5.972 × 1024 kg

2. R = 6371km

3. G = 6.67 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s−1

4. h0 = 20km

4 Analytical Solution:
Solving Eqn.(1) with initial condition v(0) = 0, we get

v = −gef f t (6)

where
4πr 3 ρg
gef f = g − (7)
3m
Solving Eqn.(2) with initial condition y(0) = h0 , we get

gef f t 2
y = h0 − (8)
2
According to the medium, corresponding value of ρ can be used.

5 Results:
Here are the plots we obtained:

6 Observations:
1.

2
Figure 1: Above the surface of Earth

Figure 2: In the mine