Free Fall Motion Simulation
Demonstrating the motion of an object under free fall (neglecting air resistance)
Theory
An object released near the surface of the Earth is accelerated downward under the influence of the force of gravity. The magnitude of acceleration due to gravity is represented by \( g \). If air resistance is neglected, the object is said to be in free fall.
For free fall near Earth's surface (with upward direction as positive):
a = -g = -9.8 m/s²
Equations of motion when object is released from rest (v₀ = 0, y₀ = 0):
v = -g t = -9.8 t m/s
y = -½ g t² = -4.9 t² m
v² = -2 g y = -19.6 y m²/s²
These equations give the velocity and the distance traveled as a function of time, and also the variation of velocity with distance.
Interactive Simulation
Time: 0.00 s
(a) Acceleration vs Time
Constant acceleration: a = -g = -9.8 m/s²
(b) Velocity vs Time
Linear relationship: v = -g·t
(c) Position vs Time
Quadratic relationship: y = -½g·t²
