Free Fall Physics Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 3

easy
An object is dropped from a height of 80ย m80 \text{ m}. How long does it take to hit the ground? Use g=10ย m/s2g = 10 \text{ m/s}^2.

Solution

  1. 1
    Use d=12gt2d = \frac{1}{2}gt^2 and solve for tt.
  2. 2
    t=2dg=2ร—8010=16=4ย st = \sqrt{\frac{2d}{g}} = \sqrt{\frac{2 \times 80}{10}} = \sqrt{16} = 4 \text{ s}

Answer

t=4ย st = 4 \text{ s}
The time of fall depends only on the height and gravitational acceleration, not on the mass of the object.

About Free Fall

Motion under gravity alone, with no air resistance โ€” all objects in free fall accelerate at gโ‰ˆ9.81g \approx 9.81 m/sยฒ regardless of mass.

Learn more about Free Fall โ†’

More Free Fall Examples