6 Free Fall
6 Free Fall
1
Four Basic Equations of Physics
*Vf = Vi + at
*d = Vi t + ½ at2
6
First, Identify the GIVENS?
* When an object is falling, assume that
a = 9.8 m/s2
* “from rest” tells us that Vi = 0
* “how fast will it be going?” is asking us to find Vf = ? (this
is the unknown)
* the first problem gives us a time of
t=1s
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Therefore…
*G: a = 9.8 m/s2
Vi = 0
t=1s
*U: Vf = ?
*E: Vf = Vi + at
2)
*S: Vf = 0 + (- 9.8 m/s (1 s)
*S: Vf = - 9.8 m/s
8
Now find out how fast it will be
falling after 2 s…
* G: a = 9.8 m/s2
Vi = 0
t=2s
• U: Vf = ?
• E: Vf = Vi + at
• S: Vf = 0 + (- 9.8 m/s2) (2 s)
• S: Vf = - 19.6 m/s
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Now find out how fast it will be
falling after 10 s…
* G: a = 9.8 m/s2
Vi = 0
t = 10 s
• U: Vf = ?
• E: Vf = Vi + at
• S: Vf = 0 + (-9.8 m/s2) (10 s)
• S: Vf = -98 m/s
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Calculating How Fast Free Fall Is
• If we use Vf = Vi + at, and Vi = 0 then we actually have an
equation that reads… Vf = at, where a = 9.8 m/s2. When a =
9.8 m/s2, we call that constant g. Therefore, we can use the
following new, or derived equation…
* Instantaneous speed = acceleration X elapsed time
v = gt
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Sample Problem #2
*The Demon Drop ride at Cedar
Point Amusement Park falls freely
for 1.5 s after starting from rest.
*What is its velocity at the end of
1.5 s?
*How far does it fall?
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What is its velocity at the end of 1.5
s?
* G: a = 9.8 m/s2
Vi = 0 (starting from rest)
t = 1.5 s
• U: Vf = ?
• E: Vf = Vi + at
• S: Vf = 0 + (-9.8 m/s2) (1.5 s)
• S: Vf = -14.7 m/s
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How far does it fall?
* G: a = 9.8 m/s2
Vi = 0
t = 1.5 s
Vf = -14.7 m/s (from previous part)
•U: d = ? (how far)
•E: d = Vit + ½ at2 (use any of the 3 motion formulas with d in them)
•S: d = (0)(1.5s) + ½ (-9.8 m/s2 )(1.5s)2
•S: d = - 11.03 m
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Calculating How Far Free Fall
Is
• If we use d = Vit + ½ at2 , and Vi = 0 then we
actually have an equation that reads…
d = ½ at2 , where a = 9.8 m/s2. When a = 9.8
m/s2, we call that constant g. Therefore, we can
use the following new, or derived equation…
2
*d = ½ gt
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Acceleration due to Gravity
* If the object is moving down, a = -9.8 m/s2
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Throwing an object into the air
* When an object is thrown into the air, the velocity at its highest
point is ZERO!!!
End Begin
Vf = 0 m/s Vi = 0 m/s
Begin End
Vi = ? Vf = ?
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Sample Problem #3
* A ball is thrown vertically into the air with an initial velocity of 4
m/s.
* How high does the ball rise?
* How long does it take to reach its highest point?
* If the ball is caught in the same spot from which it was thrown, what
is the total amount of time that it was in the air?
* What is its velocity just before it is caught?
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How high does the ball rise?
* HINT: draw a picture and label it
End
Vf = 0 m/s
d= ?
Begin
Vi = 4 m/s
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How high does the ball rise?
* G: a = -9.8 m/s2 (notice the negative sign, ball moving upward)
Vi = 4 m/s
Vf = 0 m/s (at the top, before it starts to fall, it stops)
•U: d = ?
•E: 2ad = Vf2 – Vi2, (solve for d) d = Vf2 – Vi2
2a
•S: d = 02 – (4 m/s)2
2(-9.8 m/s2 )
•S: d = 0.816 m
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How long does it take to reach its highest
point?
• G: a = -9.8 m/s2 U: t = ?
Vi = 4 m/s
Vf = 0 m/s
d = 0.816 m
• E: Vf = Vi + at, (solve for t) t = Vf – Vi
a
• S: t = 0 m/s – 4 m/s
(-9.8 m/s2)
• S: t = 0.408 s 21
If the ball is caught in the same spot from
which it was thrown, what is the total
amount of time that it was in the air?
• G: a = 9.8 m/s2 U: t = ?
Vi = 4 m/s
Vf = 0 m/s
d = -0.816 m
• E: d = Vit + ½ at2 ; derived to d = ½ gt2, solve for t…
t2 = (2d)/g
• S: t2 = (2)(-0.816 m)/(-9.8 m/s2) *don’t forget to take the square root
• S: t = 0.408s
• Total time = time Going up + time going down
• Total time = 0.408s +0.408s = 0.816s
22
What is its velocity just before it
is caught?
* G: a = 9.8 m/s2 (ball moving down before it is caught)
Vi = 0 m/s
d = - 0.816 m
t = 0.408 s
•U: Vf = ?
•E: 2ad = Vf2 – Vi2, (solve for V ) Vf2 = 2ad + Vi2
f
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Keep your projects at your seat for now.