https://www.

youtube.co
m/watch?v=
03SPBXALJ
ZI
Do heavier objects fall at the same rate
as lighter objects?
Explain……………..
 Air resistance does
not depend upon the
6.7 Falling and Air Resistance weight of the object.

The amount of air resistance force an

object experiences depends on the
object’s speed and exposed surface
area.

1. Speed
The greater the speed, the greater the air resistance.
2. Exposed Surface Area
The greater the surface area, the greater the air resistance.
 Free fall in a vacuum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E43-CfukEgs
Falling elephant and feather
 4.8 Air Resistance and Falling Objects
How do objects fall without air resistance?

Objects accelerate equally.

Why?
No atmosphere means no air resistance, so
surface area and weight makes no difference.
All objects fall at the same rate.

Moon

It’s just like on the __________________

Free Fall Acceleration

• However, acceleration is a vector.

• Gravity acts towards the Earth (down).

• Therefore, the acceleration of objects in

free fall near the surface of the Earth is:
Object falling from rest
Free Falling simulation

https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=8385

https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=10002
Free Fall

The acceleration of an object in

free fall is …………….

Neglecting air resistance!

Free Fall:

What is the acceleration of an object in

free fall?

9.81 m/s2
Free Fall:

For a falling object, how does the

velocity per second change?
Free Fall:

For a falling object, how does the

velocity per second change?

During each second of fall,

the instantaneous speed of
the object increases by an
additional 9.8 meters per
second.
 Free falling objects are always
accelerating.
• Free fall happens even
when the person is
moving upwards.

• Acceleration is the same

at all time while the
person is in the air.
Free Falling
• What is the velocity at the top?

• What is the acceleration at the top?

Equations of motion for
free falling objects
Calculate height
 A stone is dropped down a well
and it takes 1.6 seconds to reach
the bottom.
• How deep is the well?
• You may assume the initial
speed of the stone is zero.
• Given: t = 1.6 s
vi = 0 m/s
a = -9.81 m/s2
Unknown = Δy= distance
Δy = 1/2gt2

y = (0.5)(-9.8 m/s2) = 12.5 m

• A Olympic athlete hits a • t = 1.5 s
volley ball so that it moves
with an initial velocity of
6.0 m/s straight upward. If
the volleyball starts from
2.0 m above the floor, how
long will the ball be in the
air before it strikes the
floor?
 Reaction time Activity
• Compare your reaction time with that of a
friend by catching the ruler that is dropped
between your fingers. Let your fingers hold
the ruler, as shown in the figure.
 Reaction time activity
• Snap your fingers shut as soon as you see the
ruler release. What is the vertical distance Δy?

• Find the reaction time in second by solving

Δy = ½ g t2:
• For time, t= Square root (2Δy/ g)
• Compare your reaction time with your class
mates.
Reaction Time activity