General Physics I: Free fall

Objectives:
1. Define free falling object
2. Use the fact that that the magnitude of acceleration due to gravity on the Earth’s surface
is 9.8 m/s2
3. Solve problems involving free fall and object thrown upward

Free Falling Object

“Free-fall” motion is a Uniformly Accelerated Motion that takes place in a

vertical direction.

Anytime an object moves vertically, either going upwards, or going down-

wards, we say it is in Free-fall.

ALWAYS REMEMBER!

#1 – The constant acceleration of the object is ALWAYS directed downwards due to the
influence of Earth’s gravity; the acceleration due to gravity on Earth is referred to as “g” and has
a value of 9.8 m/s2 .

Because of sign conventions, where we choose up to be the positive direction and down to be
the negative, we will say that, in Free-fall, the vertical acceleration of an object is -g = -9.8 m/s 2 .

[Recall: the negative sign indicates that the direction of the acceleration is downwards.]

#2 – When an object is in Free-fall, we will always ignore any effects that air resistance may
have on the object’s motion

Spot the difference:

Initial velocity (Vi) would always be at zero value.
Acceleration is always = g = (9.8 m/s2)
Displacement = Height (h) = Vertical Displacement

Basic Equation Free Fall

Vf = Vi + at Vf = gt
1 1
d= (Vf + Vi) t h= (Vf) t
2 2
1 1 2
d = Vi t + at2 h= gt
2 2
Vf 2 = Vi2 + 2ad Vf 2 = 2gh
Sample Problem 1

Sir Isaac Newton had an apple drop from a tree that reached his head after 2.78 seconds. How
high was the tree? What is the apple’s final velocity?

Sample Problem 2

You are standing at the edge of the cliff and drop a ball. It takes 12.6 secs to hit the ground.
What is the velocity of the ball?

Sample Problem 3

How long does it take for a rock to fall from a 15.50 m high building? What is its final Velocity?

Object Thrown Upward – An object thrown upward is also an example of a freely falling body,
since it goes against gravity, and then falls back down to move along with it.

Symmetries of Object Thrown Upward

1. Time symmetry means that the time required for an object to reach its maximum height
is equal to the time it takes for the object to go back to its starting point from the peak.
2. Speed symmetry means the speed of the object as it travels upward is equal to its
speed going downward to its origin.

NOTE: When solving a problem about objects thrown upward, we must remember that gravity is
negative, since the object resists gravity.
Sample Problem – A ball is thrown upward with a speed of 26.3 m/s.

a. How long does it take to reach the highest point?

b. How high does it rise?
c. How long does it take the ball to hit the ground after it reaches the highest point?
d. What is its velocity when it returns to the level from which it started?

Solution:
a. Vf = Vo + gt
t = (Vf - Vo) / g
t = (0 – 26.3 m/s) / 9.8 m/s2
t = 2.68 s

b. h = Vot – 1/2gt2
h = (26.3 m/s) (2.68 s) – 1/2 (9.8 m/s2) (2.68 s)2
h = 35.29 m

c. t = 2.68 s

d. Vf = 26.3 m/s

Let’s Practice!
Instruction: Answer the following problems using in complete solution. Strictly follow GRESA
w/ FBD.

1. While taking some water from a well, Mark dropped his necklace and saw it settle on the
bottom after 5.66 seconds. How fast did the necklace travel before it hit the bottom?
How deep was the well?
2. A marble is dropped from a bridge and strikes the water in 7 seconds. Calculate the
speed with which it strikes and the height of the bridge.

Thrown Upward Free Fall

Vf = Vo + gt Vf = gt
1 1
h= (Vf + Vo) t h= (Vf) t
2 2
1 1 2
h = Vo t + gt2 h= gt
2 2
2 2
Vf = Vo + 2gh Vf 2 = 2gh