2.2.

Motion Along the Vertical Axis

Learning Objectives:
After reading this section, the student should be able to:
▪ define a freely falling object;
▪ describe the motion of an object in free fall;
▪ familiarize the kinematics equation in describing the motion of a freely falling object; and
▪ solve simple problems using the kinematics equation.

Lesson Target Duration: 2 hours (Day 6, August 11)

Free Fall
All things fall because of the influence of gravity. When
an object is undergoing a free fall motion, it means that
it is free of restraints and falls under the influence of
gravity only. Free of restraints is defined as falling with
no air-resistance.

Consider for example a paper and a piece of stone

inside a tube (a) filled with air (Fig. 2.2.1(a)), and (b) in
a vacuum (Fig. 2.2.1(b)). Figure 2.2.1(a) shows a well-
known phenomenon of a rock falling faster than a sheet
of paper. Here, air resistance is responsible for the Air-filled tube Evacuated tube
feather’s slower motion. When air is removed from the (a) (b)
tube, as in Fig. 2.2.1(b), i.e., with no influence of air
resistance, both objects fall at the same time and reach Figure 2.2.1. A rock and a paper inside an (a)
the bottom of the tube at the same time. air-filled tube, and an (b) evacuated tube.

In the absence of air resistance, an object’s motion at the same location above the earth falls at a constant
rate—that is, at equal acceleration. The acceleration of a freely falling body is called the acceleration due
to gravity, denoted by 𝑔. This gravitational acceleration is always directed downward, towards the center
of the earth. Near the earth’s surface, 𝑔 is approximately equal to 𝟗. 𝟖 𝑚/𝑠2 or 𝟑𝟐. 𝟐 𝑓𝑡/𝑠2 .

Since freely falling objects move at constant acceleration, we use the following kinematics equations when
solving physical quantities such as position, speed, velocity, and time. These terms are necessary to describe
the motion of a freely-falling object.

𝑣0𝑦 2 − 𝑣𝑦 2
KE 1: 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡 KE 3: 𝑦 − 𝑦0 =
2𝑔

1 𝑣0𝑦 + 𝑣𝑦
KE 2: 𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 𝑣0𝑦 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 KE 4: 𝑦 − 𝑦0 = ( )𝑡
2 2

where: ▪ 𝑣𝑦 = final velocity along 𝑦 ▪ 𝑦 = final position along 𝑦 ▪ 𝑡 = time

▪ 𝑣0𝑦 = initial velocity along 𝑦 ▪ 𝑦0 = initial position along 𝑦

30 | CBP Science 2020 | Contributing Author: M.A. Gabule

The term free fall applies to both rising and falling objects provided only gravity acts on it.

Sample Problems

Problem 2.2.1. (DROPPED)

A stone is dropped from rest from the top of a tall building. After 𝟑. 𝟎 𝑠 of free-fall,
a. what is the position 𝑦 of the stone?
b. the velocity 𝑣 of the stone?

Solution.
Given: ▪ dropped (𝑣0𝑦 = 0) ▪ 𝑡 = 3.0 𝑠 ▪ Let 𝑦0 = 0

a. To find the position 𝑦, we use the second kinematic equation (KE 2):
1
𝑦 − 𝑦𝑜 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2
2
Substituting the given values to KE 2, we have
1 𝑚
𝑦 − 0 = 0(3 𝑠) − (9.8 2 ) (3 𝑠)2
2 𝑠
Evaluating the above expression, we obtain the position 𝑦 of the stone:

𝑦 = −𝟒𝟒. 𝟏 𝑚

Thus, the position of the stone after 𝟑. 𝟎 𝑠 is 𝟒𝟒. 𝟏 𝑚 below its initial position 𝒚𝟎 = 𝟎. The
negative sign tells us the direction of the stone after it has been released.

b. To find the velocity 𝑣, we use the first kinematic equation (KE 1):

𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡

Solving for the velocity 𝑣 after 𝟑. 𝟎 𝑠 means calculating 𝑣𝑦 in the equation above.
Substituting the given values, we have
𝑚
𝑣𝑦 = 0 − (9.8 ) (3 𝑠) or 𝑣𝑦 = −𝟐𝟗. 𝟒 𝑚/𝑠
𝑠2

Thus, the velocity of the stone after 𝟑. 𝟎 𝑠 is 𝟐𝟗. 𝟒 𝑚/𝑠 directed downwards.

Problem 2.2.2. A skydiver steps from a high-flying helicopter. In the absence of air resistance, how fast
would she be falling at the end of a 12-second jump?

Solution.
Given: ▪ 𝑣0𝑦 = 0 ▪ 𝑡 = 12 𝑠

31 | CBP Science 2020 | Contributing Author: M.A. Gabule

 The term ‘how fast’ refers to the speed of the skydiver after it reaches 𝟏𝟐 𝑠. Since no air
resistance is involved, the skydiver is in free fall. To compute the speed, we use KE 1.

𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡

Substituting the given values to the kinematic equation above, we obtain

𝑚
𝑣𝑦 = 0 − (9.8 )(12 𝑠) or 𝑣𝑦 = −𝟏𝟏𝟕. 𝟔 𝑚/𝑠
𝑠2

Thus, the skydiver is moving as fast as 𝟏𝟏𝟕. 𝟔 𝑚/𝑠. Speed is a scalar quantity.

Problem 2.2.3. An apple drops from a tree and hits the ground in 2 seconds. Calculate how far it falls.

Solution.
Given: ▪ dropped (𝑣0𝑦 = 0) ▪ 𝑡 = 2𝑠

The term ‘how far’ refers to the distance covered by the apple during its 2-second fall. To
compute this distance, we use the second kinematic equation (KE 2).
1
𝑦 − 𝑦𝑜 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2
2
Substituting the given values to KE 2, we get
1 𝑚
𝑦 − 0 = 0 − (9.8 2 ) (2 𝑠)2
2 𝑠
Finally,
𝑦 = −𝟏𝟗. 𝟔 𝑚

Thus, the apple covers a distance of 𝟏𝟗. 𝟔 𝑚 in its 2 seconds of fall. Distance is a scalar
quantity.

Problem 2.2.4. (BODY THROWN UPWARD)

A football game customarily begins with a coin toss to determine who kicks off. The referee tosses the coin
up with an initial speed of 𝟓. 𝟎𝟎 𝑚/𝑠. In the absence of air resistance,
a. how high does the coin go above its point of release?
b. what is the total time the coin is in the air before returning to its release point?

Solution.
Given: ▪ 𝑣0𝑦 = +5.00 𝑚/𝑠 (positive since its direction is upwards) ▪ Let 𝑦0 = 0

a. As the coin moves upward after being tossed, its velocity decreases until it reaches its highest
point at which, the coin momentarily stops before moving downwards. Thus, the coin’s
instantaneous velocity is zero (i.e., 𝑣𝑦 = 0) at the highest point of its flight.

32 | CBP Science 2020 | Contributing Author: M.A. Gabule

 To calculate how high the coin reaches above its point of release, we use KE 3:

𝑣𝑜𝑦 2 − 𝑣𝑦 2
𝑦 − 𝑦𝑜 =
2𝑔
Substituting the known values, we get
(𝟓 𝑚/𝑠)2 − 𝟎𝟐
𝑦−𝟎= 𝑚
𝟐 (𝟗. 𝟖 2 )
𝑠
Finally,
𝑦 = 𝟏. 𝟑 𝑚

Thus, the coin reaches as high as 𝟏. 𝟑 𝑚 above its point of release.

b. At the instant the coin returns to its initial point (or release point), 𝑦 = 𝑦0 = 0. To calculate
the total time 𝑡 the coin is in the air before returning to its release point, we use the third
kinematic equation (KE 3) and solve for time 𝑡.
1
𝑦 − 𝑦𝑜 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2
2
Substituting the known values, we have
𝑚 1 𝑚
0 = (𝟓 ) 𝑡 − (𝟗. 𝟖 2 ) 𝑡 2
𝑠 2 𝑠

Solving for time 𝑡, we obtain 𝑡 = 𝟏. 𝟎 𝑠

Thus, the coin took 𝟏. 𝟎 𝑠 total time of flight before returning to its point of release.

References

[1] Young, H. D., & Freedman, R. A. (2016). Sears & Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics, 14th
Edition. USA: Pearson Education, Inc.

[2] Walker, J., Halliday, D., & Resnick, R. (2014). Fundamentals of Physics, 10th Edition. USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

[3] Serway, R. A., & Vuille, C. (2018). College Physics, 11th Edition. USA: Cengage Learning.

33 | CBP Science 2020 | Contributing Author: M.A. Gabule