FAQs on Free fall and Acceleration due to Gravity

Question 1

1. What is free fall and how is it related to acceleration due to gravity?

Accepted Answer

Ans. Free fall is the motion of an object under the sole influence of gravity, without any other external forces acting on it. The acceleration experienced by an object in free fall is known as acceleration due to gravity. It is denoted by the symbol 'g' and is approximately equal to 9.8 m/s² on the surface of the Earth.

Question 2

2. How does the mass of an object affect its free fall acceleration?

Accepted Answer

Ans. The mass of an object does not affect its free fall acceleration. According to the theory of gravitation, all objects fall towards the Earth with the same acceleration regardless of their mass. This means that a heavy object and a light object will both experience the same acceleration due to gravity when in free fall.

Question 3

3. Can an object ever experience free fall if there are other forces acting on it?

Accepted Answer

Ans. No, an object cannot experience true free fall if there are other forces acting on it apart from gravity. Free fall occurs when the only force acting on an object is gravity. If there are other forces, such as air resistance or a force applied by an external agent, the object will not be in a state of free fall as these forces will affect its motion.

Question 4

4. How does the acceleration due to gravity vary with altitude or height?

Accepted Answer

Ans. The acceleration due to gravity decreases with increasing altitude or height. As an object moves away from the surface of the Earth, the gravitational force acting on it decreases. Consequently, the acceleration due to gravity also decreases. However, this decrease is minimal for small changes in altitude and can be considered negligible for most practical purposes.

Question 5

5. Is there any difference between the acceleration due to gravity on Earth and on other celestial bodies?

Accepted Answer

Ans. Yes, the acceleration due to gravity can vary on different celestial bodies. While the acceleration due to gravity on Earth is approximately 9.8 m/s², it can be different on other planets or moons. The value of acceleration due to gravity depends on the mass and radius of the celestial body. For example, the acceleration due to gravity on the moon is about 1/6th of that on Earth.

Free fall and Acceleration due to Gravity Video Lecture - Science Class

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