Is Free Fall Acceleration Constant Until An Object Hits the Ground?

In summary: It’s a good introduction to the topic.The acceleration is most certainly reduced by air resistance, which is surely the point of the question.
  • #1
Jynku
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Homework Statement
As a body falls through air starting from rest, its acceleration gets smaller and smaller, eventually approaching zero. Why?
Relevant Equations
free fall acceleration is -9.8m/s^2.
Shouldn't free fall acceleration be constant at -9.8m/s^2 until the object hits the ground and turns zero?
 
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  • #2
:welcome:

Do you know anything about air resistance?
 
  • #3
Does this mean in intro physics, when applying linear equation (V = U + at, for instance) on questions like "An object drops from a height of 45m. Find the time it takes for it to reach the ground." It's not taking air resistance into account?
 
  • #4
Jynku said:
Does this mean in intro physics, when applying linear equation (V = U + at, for instance) on questions like "An object drops from a height of 45m. Find the time it takes for it to reach the ground." It's not taking air resistance into account?
That's correct. There's no air resistance in that equation.
 
  • #5
Jynku said:
Shouldn't free fall acceleration be constant at -9.8m/s^2 until the object hits the ground and turns zero?
It's not the acceleration that is constant, it's the gravitational force. (And that's only a reasonable approximation when you are close to Earth.)

And the force is still there when you hit the ground.
 
  • #6
Jynku said:
Does this mean in intro physics, when applying linear equation (V = U + at, for instance) on questions like "An object drops from a height of 45m. Find the time it takes for it to reach the ground." It's not taking air resistance into account?
It is assumed that there is vacuum around the falling object.
Please, see:
https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/termv.html

:)
 
  • #7
Thanks so much, makes perfect sense!
 
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  • #8
PeroK said:
:welcome:

Do you know anything about air resistance?
I don’t think there is any serious decrease in gravitational acceleration. We can take it as constant .
 
  • #9
rudransh verma said:
I don’t think there is any serious decrease in gravitational acceleration. We can take it as constant .
The acceleration is most certainly reduced by air resistance, which is surely the point of the question. Look up "terminal velocity".
 

FAQ: Is Free Fall Acceleration Constant Until An Object Hits the Ground?

What is free fall acceleration?

Free fall acceleration is the acceleration of an object due to the force of gravity. It is the rate at which an object falls towards the ground when no other forces are acting on it.

What is the value of free fall acceleration on Earth?

The value of free fall acceleration on Earth is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared. This value is constant and does not depend on the mass or size of the object falling.

How is free fall acceleration related to mass?

Free fall acceleration is not affected by the mass of an object. This means that all objects, regardless of their mass, will accelerate towards the ground at the same rate when in free fall.

Can free fall acceleration change?

No, free fall acceleration is a constant value on Earth and does not change. However, it may vary on other planets or celestial bodies due to differences in their gravitational pull.

How is free fall acceleration calculated?

Free fall acceleration can be calculated using the formula a = g = F/m, where a is the acceleration, g is the gravitational constant (9.8 m/s^2 on Earth), F is the force of gravity, and m is the mass of the object.

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