Does Fall Duration Affect Impact Force Near Earth?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between the duration of a fall and the impact force experienced by an object upon hitting the ground, specifically in the context of falling objects near the Earth's surface. The scope includes theoretical considerations and mathematical reasoning related to motion and force.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the length of time an object falls is directly proportional to the force it impacts the ground with.
  • Another participant states that the speed of a falling object is proportional to time, under the assumption of no air resistance, and relates this to the impact force through the equation F=ma, suggesting that if stopping time is constant, then the force is dependent on the speed at impact.
  • A later reply confirms the previous points in the context of falling objects near the Earth's surface.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants seem to agree on the relationship between fall duration and impact force under certain assumptions, but the discussion does not resolve all aspects of the question, particularly regarding the conditions affecting stopping time and air resistance.

Contextual Notes

The discussion assumes no air resistance and a constant stopping time, but these conditions may not hold in all scenarios, which could affect the conclusions drawn.

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Is the length of time for which an object is falling directly proportional to the force it hits the ground with?
 
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The speed of a falling object is proportional to time (assuming no air resistance) V=u+gt

The force it hits the ground with depends on how quickly it stops.
But if we assume the stopping time is the same then F=ma and a (deceleration) is speed/stopping time

So yes.
 
Thanks for the help :)
 
In the context of things falling close to the Earth's surface, yes.
 

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