Gravity & Motion

January 30, 2013

Gravity & Acceleration

• Why do objects of different masses fall to the ground at the same rate?– The acceleration due to gravity is the same for all

objects.• Acceleration depends on force and mass.– A heavier object experiences a greater

gravitational force than a lighter object does.– A heavier object is harder to accelerate because it

has more mass.

Acceleration Due to Gravity

• All objects accelerate toward Earth at a rate of 9.8 meters per second per second. 9.8 m/s2

– So, for every second that an object falls, the object’s downward velocity increases by 9.8 m/s

Velocity of Falling Object

• To calculate the change in velocity ( V) of a falling object by using: V = g x t

g = the acceleration due to gravityt = the time it takes the object to fall

Check out this link:http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1dkin/u1l5b.cfm