Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

  
Lesson 3.7 
Free Fall Motion  
 
Contents 
Introduction 1 

Learning Objectives 2 

Warm Up 2 

Learn about It! 4 

Free Fall Motion 4 
Constant Acceleration (Along the Vertical) Calculations 7 
Velocity-Time Equation 7 
Position-Time Equation 7 
Velocity-Position Equation 8 

Key Points 12 

Key Formulas 13 

Check Your Understanding 15 

Challenge Yourself 17 

Bibliography 17 

Key to Try It! 18 

 
   

 
  

Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

Lesson 3.7 

Free Fall Motion 

 

  Introduction 
Two  thousand  years after Aristotle’s contention that heavy objects fall faster than the lighter 
ones,  Galileo  Galilei  put  forth  what  then  became  one  of  the  most  important  rebuttals  in  all 
of  scientific  history.  Using  two  cannonballs  of  different  sizes  and  dropping  them 
simultaneously  off  of  the  Leaning  Tower  of  Pisa,  he  found  out  that  they  fell  at  exactly  the 
same  rate:  that  is,  –9.8  m/s2.  This  constant  value  has  since  then  been  established  as  an 
object’s  acceleration  due  to  gravity  on  the  Earth’s  surface.  Let  us  further  explore  the 
mathematical significance of this value and its relationships to other kinematic variables.  

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

 
 

Learning Objectives  DepEd Competencies 

 
In this lesson, you should be able to do the  ● Use the fact that the magnitude 
of acceleration due to gravity 
following: 
on the Earth’s surface is nearly 
● Apply  the  four  major  kinematic  constant and approximately 9.8 

equations  of  uniformly  accelerated  m/s2 in free fall problems 

(STEM_GP12Kin-Ib-18). 
linear motion to free fall. 
● Solve problems involving one 
● Calculate  unknown  quantities  in  dimensional motion with 

problems that involve free fall motion.  constant acceleration in 

contexts such as free-fall 
problems. 
(STEM_GP12Kin-Ib-19). 
 

  Warm Up       

  Physics in the Bottles: Gravity Experiment    7 minutes 

The  activity  you  are  about  to  execute  will  enable  you  to  visualize  the  behavior  of  freely 
falling objects, as well as the factors that affect their motion.  
 

Materials 
● empty mineral bottle 
● mineral bottle filled with small stones  
● mineral bottle filled with small stones and with attached improvised plastic 
parachute  
● stopwatch  

 
Procedure 
1. Prepare the materials as shown in Fig. 3.7.1.  
2. Drop the empty mineral bottle from the topmost floor of your school building and 
record the time it hits the ground using your stopwatch.  

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

3. Repeat the same procedure for (a) the mineral bottle with small stones and (b) the 
mineral bottle filled with small stones and with an attached plastic parachute. 
4. Record your observations in Table 3.7.1.  
 

 
Fig. 3.7.1. “Physics in the Bottles” experiment materials 
 
Data Table 
Table 3.7.1. Results of ‘Physics in a Bottle Experiment’ 

Setup  Time 

empty bottle    

bottle filled with stones   

bottle with stones and parachute   

 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

Guide Questions 
1. Differentiate the time it took for the three materials to fall from the top floor to the 
ground.  
2. What factors affect the motion of a falling object? 
3. Which of the three setups best qualifies as a freely falling object? Hypothesize. 
 

  Learn about It! 

 

What happens to an object’s velocity as it 

  undergoes free fall motion? 
 
Free Fall Motion 
Galileo was able to establish the mathematical relationship between distance and time. For 
any object that has fallen from rest, the distance that it will cover will be proportional to the 
square of the time it has taken to fall. This also establishes the crucial point that all objects 
on the Earth’s surface will fall with equal and constant acceleration in the absence of 
air and other forms of resistance. 
 
This acceleration is termed as acceleration due to gravity (g) on the Earth’s surface and 
its approximated magnitude is equivalent to: –9.8 m/s2. This acceleration is a vector whose 
direction is downward, pointing to the Earth’s center. Objects in free fall have a downward, 
and hence, negative velocity vy, as shown in Fig. 3.7.2. 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

 
Fig. 3.7.2. An object free-falling from rest 
 
Here are a few crucial factors to remember about free fall motion: 
1. A  freely  falling  object  has  an  acceleration  of  –9.8  m/s2,  the  negative  value  of  which 
signifies that the acceleration is downward.   
2. The initial velocity of any object thrown from an elevated height is 0 m/s. 
3. For  an  object  thrown  vertically  upward,  it  is  expected  to  slow  down  while  going 
upward  and  attain  a  velocity  of  0  m/s  at  the  peak of its motion. The magnitude of its 
velocity when thrown up is equal but opposite in sign to its velocity when it goes back 
to the same height.  
 
 

Explain what free fall motion is in your own words. 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

Table 3.7.2. UAM along the vertical variables and SI Units 

  Symbol  SI Unit 

Constant  or   meter per 

Acceleration:    square second 
Acceleration  (constant) 
to Gravity  

Velocity    (initial)     
v     
meter per 
(final)    second 

Position    (initial)     
y  m  meter 

(final) 

Time    s  second 

Remember 
  The  value  of  g  is  said  to  be  a  mere  “approximation”  since  it  varies 
according  to  the  altitudes  on  the  Earth’s  surface.  The  difference, 
however,  is  significantly  small  that  they  can,  under  most 
circumstances, be ignored.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

Constant Acceleration (Along the Vertical) Calculations 

  
Velocity-Time Equation 
 

 
Equation 3.7.1 

 
where  vy  is  the  y-velocity  at time t of an object with constant acceleration, v0y is the y-velocity 
of  the  object  at  its  initial  time,  g  is  the  acceleration  due  to  gravity  which  has  a  value  –9.8 
m/s2, and t is the elapsed time. 
 
Position-Time Equation 
To  determine  a  free-falling  object’s  position  at  time  t,  three  factors  are  taken  into 
consideration, and are mathematically expressed as follows: 
 

Equation 3.7.2 
 

 
where  y  is  the  position  at  elapsed  time  t  of  an  object  in  free  fall,  y0  is  the  position  of  the 
object  at  initial  time,  v0y  is  the  velocity  along  the  y-axis  at  initial  time,  t  is  the  elapsed  time, 
and g is the acceleration due to gravity (–9.8 m/s2). 
 
Another useful equation in relation to position and time may be expressed as follows: 
 

Equation 3.7.3 
 

 
where  y  is  the  position  at  elapsed  time  t  of  an  object  in  free  fall,  y0  is  the  position  of  the 
object  at  initial  time, v0y is the velocity along the y-axis at initial time, vy is the object’s velocity 
along the y-axis at elapsed time, and t is the elapsed time. 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

Velocity-Position Equation 
Recall  from  your  previous  lesson  on  constant  acceleration  (along  the  horizontal)  that 
velocity  is  directly  proportional  to  time,  and  displacement  is  proportional  to  the  square  of 
time.  The  same  may  be  applied  for  free  fall,  and  a  fourth  equation  may  also  be  used  and 
modified accordingly, as shown below: 
 

 
Equation 3.7.4 

 
where  vy  is  the  object’s  velocity  along  the  y-axis  at  elapsed  time,  v0y  is  the  velocity  of  the 
object  along  the  y-axis  at  initial  time,  g  is  the  acceleration  due  to  gravity  (–9.8 m/s2), y is the 
object’s position at elapsed time; and y0 is the object’s position at initial time. 
 
 

How do we express the equations on “constant 

  acceleration along the vertical”? 
 
 

  Let’s Practice!  
Example 1    
If  a  10-kg  block  is  dropped  from  rest,  determine  the  distance  it  will  have  covered  after  2 
seconds. 
 
Solution 
Step 1:   Identify what is required in the problem. 
You are asked to calculate the block’s final position. 
 
Step 2: Identify the given in the problem. 
The elapsed time, 2 seconds, and initial velocity, 0 m/s, are given; the acceleration  
due to gravity is g = 9.8 m/s2.  
 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

Since the motion concerns a freely-falling object, its acceleration will only depend  
on gravity, and not on its mass. Hence, its mass of 10 kg bares no relevance in the  
problem at hand. 
 
Step 3: Write the working equation.  

 
 
Step 4: Substitute the given values.  

 
 
Step 5: Find the answer. 

 
 
Thus,  the  distance  the  block will have covered after 2 seconds is 19.6 m. The negative value 
implies that the motion is downward. 
 

1  Try It!  
Calculate  how  far  a  45-kg  object  will  fall  after  3.5  seconds  if it is thrown from rest off 
of a building.   

 
Example 2  
A coin is dropped from rest off of a cliff that is 6 meters high. How much time will it take for 
the coin to reach the ground and what will be its velocity? 
 
Solution 
Step 1:   Identify what is required in the problem. 
You are asked to calculate the elapsed time and the final velocity of the coin. 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

Step 2:   Identify the given in the problem. 

The  initial  position,  6  meters,  and  the  initial  velocity,  0  m/s,  are  given.  The 
acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2. 
 
Step 3:   Write the working equation.  

 
 
Step 4:   Substitute the given values.  
First, calculate the elapsed time: 

 
 
Then, look for the final velocity. 

 
 
Step 5:  Find the answer. 
 

 
 
Hence, the time it took for the coin to reach the ground is 1.1 s and it had a velocity of 
–10.8 m/s. 
 

2  Try It!  
A  stone  fell  from  a  4.5-m  ledge  from  rest.  How  much  time  will  it  take  to  fall  on  the 
ground and what will be its final velocity? 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

Example 3  
A  missile  is  shot  upward  with  a  velocity  of  189  m/s  from  the  top  of  a  20-m  cliff.  How  much 
time will it take for the missile to fall on the ground? 
 
Solution 
Step 1:   Identify what is required in the problem. 
You are asked to calculate the time it will take for the missile to fall on the ground. 
 
Step 2:   Identify the given in the problem. 
The  initial  velocity,  189  m/s,  and  the  initial  position,  20  m  are  given.  The 
acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2.  
 
Step 3:   Write the working equation.  

 
 
Step 4:   Solve for the unknown variable.  
Substitute the given values: 

 
 
Since the expression is in the form of a quadratic equation, it can  
be solved by: 
 

 
 
Substitute the given values into the quadratic equation: 

 
 
 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

Solve for t. 

 
 
Step 5:  Find the answer. 
 
 
Hence,  the  time  it  took  for  the  missile  to  fall  on  the  ground  is  38.7  s.  The  other  value  of  t, 
–0.1  s  took  place  before  the  missile  was  launched,  and  is  outside  the  time  interval  relevant 
to the problem. Thus, it may be disregarded. 
 

3  Try It!  
A particle is shot upward with a velocity of 155.65 m/s from the top of a 15.16-m cliff. 
How much time will it take for the particle to fall on the ground?  

Key Points 
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
● Free fall refers to an object’s motion under the sole influence of gravity.  
● All objects on the Earth’s surface will fall with equal and constant acceleration in 
the absence of air and other forms of resistance. 
● The acceleration due to gravity (g) on the Earth’s surface has an approximated 
magnitude equivalent to –9.8 m/s2.   
___________________________________________________________________________________________  
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

Key Formulas 
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 

Concept  Formula  Description 

UAM along the  Use this formula to solve for 

   
Vertical  an unknown value for 
where 
(Free Fall):  problems that concern the 
● vy is the y-velocity at time t 
Velocity-Time  variables vy, v0y, and t.  
of an object with constant 
acceleration; 
● v0y is the y-velocity of the 
object at its initial time;   
● g is the acceleration due to 
gravity (–9.8 m/s2), and  
● t is the elapsed time. 

UAM Along the  Use this formula to solve for 

Vertical:    an unknown value in 
Position-Time   where  problems that concern the 
● y is the position at elapsed  variables y, v0y, and t.  
time t of an object in UAM;   
● v0y is the velocity along the   
y-axis at initial time;   
● t is the elapsed time, and   
● g is the acceleration due to 
gravity (g = 9.8 m/s2). 

Use this formula to solve for 

  an unknown value in 

where  problems that concern the 

● y is the object’s position at  variables y, y0, v0y, and t. 

elapsed time; 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

● y0 is the object’s position at 

initial time; 
● v0y is the object’s velocity at 
initial time; 
● vy is object’s velocity at 
elapsed time, and 
● t is the elapsed time. 

UAM Along the  Use this formula to solve for 

 
Vertical:  an unknown value in 
where 
Velocity-Position   problems that concern the 
● vy is the object’s velocity 
variables vy, v0y, y, and y0. 
along the y-axis at elapsed 
time; 
● v0y is the velocity of the 
object along the y-axis at 
initial time; 
● g is the acceleration due 
to gravity (g = 9.8 m/s2); 
● y is the object’s position at 
elapsed time, and 
● y0 is the object’s position 
at initial time. 

 
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

  Check Your Understanding 

 

A. Identify whether each statement is true or false.  

 

_________________________  1.  Free fall refers to an object’s motion under the sole 
influence of gravity.   

_________________________  2.  All objects on Earth’s surface will fall with decreasing 
acceleration in the absence of air and other forms of 
resistance.   

_________________________  3.  Objects in free fall have a downward, and hence positive 
velocity, vy.   

_________________________  4.  The acceleration due to gravity (g) on the Earth’s surface 
has an approximated magnitude equivalent to 0.98 m/s2.   

_________________________  5.  The  initial  velocity  of  any  object  thrown  from  an  elevated 
height is 0 m/s.   

B.  For  the  following  problems,  identify  which  of  the  four 
UAM  along  the vertical equations must be used to solve 
for the value of the unknown variable.   

A.  

B.  

C.  

D.  

  
 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

1. A  particle  fell  off  a  cliff.  Disregarding  air  resistance,  determine  its  velocity  4.5 
seconds before reaching the ground.   
2. Mia  accidentally  dropped  a  coin  from  a  very  high  scaffold.  How  far  has  the  brick 
fallen after 5 seconds?   
3. Philip  flipped  a  10-peso  coin  straight  up.  If  it  has  reached  a  high  point  of  1  meter 
above where it has been tossed, what is the coin’s initial speed?   
4. If  Philip will catch the same coin at the same height as it had been released, how long 
did it stay midair?   
5. A  pebblestone  has  been  freely  falling  from  rest  for  10  seconds.  What  is  its  velocity 
after this time?   
6. Determine the pebblestone’s displacement.   
7. An  object  has  been  thrown  out  of  a  15-m  high  building  with a velocity of 3 m/s. How 
fast will it be moving when it hits the ground?   
8. A  free-falling  amusement  ride  that  has started from rest will move with what velocity 
after 5 seconds?   
9. What will be the distance covered by the ride during these 5 seconds?   
10. A  ball  is  thrown  upward  with  a  velocity  of  185.11  m/s  from  the  top  of  a  15.4-m  cliff. 
How much time will it take for the ball to fall on the ground?   
 

C. Answer the questions that follow:   

1. A 14-kg object is dropped from rest. How far will it be in 3 seconds? 

2. A  tennis  ball  is  dropped  from  a  350-m  high  hot-air balloon and is heading upward at 
a  rate  of  14.14  m/s.  How  much  time  will  it  take  for  the  tennis  ball  to  reach  the 
ground?  
3. What is the speed of the tennis ball as it hits the ground? 
4. Samy  began diving off of a 130-m cliff with a velocity of 4.8 m/s. How much time does 
she need to hit the sea below? 
5. What is her velocity right before she touches the water? 
 
 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

  Challenge Yourself 
 

Answer the following questions.  

1. You  have  learned  that  for  an  object  thrown  vertically  upward,  it  is  expected  to  slow 
down  while  going  upward  and  attain  a  velocity  of  0  m/s  at  the  peak  of  its  motion. 
This does not signify, however, that the acceleration will also be zero. Argue why. 
2. Why  does  an  object’s  speed  increase  when  the  velocity  and  acceleration  are  in  the 
same direction? 
3. Suppose  you  have  a  coin  in  one  hand  and  a  sheet  of  paper  on  the  other,  and  you 
dropped them from a certain height simultaneously. Explain why the falling coin is an 
excellent example of free fall motion and the sheet of paper is not. 
4. The  acceleration  due  to  gravity  is  one-sixth  that  of  the  Earth’s.  Considering  the 

equation  ,  if  you  jump  1  meter  high  on Earth, how high will 

that be on the moon? 
5. Suppose  you  threw  two  balls,  the  first  upward  and  the  second  downward,  from  the 
same  height  with  similar  initial  speeds  and  they  freely  fell  and  hit  the  ground  at 
separate times. Which ball will hit the ground faster?  
 

  Bibliography 
Hewitt, Paul G. 2010. Conceptual Physics (11th ed). New York: Pearson Education.   
 
Holt, R., Serway, R., & Faugn, J. (2006). Physics. Austin, TX. 
 
Macalalad, E. P. and Vergara, R. L. 2011. Exploring the Realms of Science: Physics. Valenzuela 
City: JO-ES Publishing House, Inc. 
 
Vincent P. Coletta. Physics Fundamentals. Physics Curriculum & Instruction, Inc.: 2010. 
 
Walker, J., Halliday, D., & Resnick, R. (2011). Fundamentals of physics. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. 

 
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Unit 3: Motion in One Dimension 

 

  Key to Try It! 

1. –60.0 m 
2. 0.958 s, 9.39 m 
3. 31.9 s 
   
 
 

 
3.7. Free Fall Motion    18