Acceleration due to gravity

In summary, acceleration due to gravity is the rate at which objects fall towards the Earth's surface due to its gravitational pull. It can be measured using an accelerometer or by using the equation g = F/m. It varies on different planets and is affected by altitude. Understanding acceleration due to gravity is important in various fields and activities, such as physics, engineering, and skydiving.
  • #1
devildog6289
4
0
if you drop on object, it will accelerate downward at a rate of g=9.8m/s^2
if you throw it downward instead, it's accerleration (absence of air resistance) will be :confused:

a) greater than 9.8 m/s^2
b) unable to determine
c) 9.8 m/s^2
d) less than 9.8 m/s^2
 
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  • #2
Acceleration due to gravity will always be the same, whether thrown or dropped.
 
  • #3


The correct answer would be c) 9.8 m/s^2. The acceleration due to gravity is a constant value of 9.8 m/s^2, regardless of the initial velocity of the object. This means that whether the object is dropped or thrown downwards, it will still accelerate at the same rate. This is assuming there is no air resistance present, which can affect the acceleration of an object. Therefore, the acceleration will always be 9.8 m/s^2 unless there are other external factors at play.
 

1. What is acceleration due to gravity?

Acceleration due to gravity is the rate at which an object falls towards the Earth's surface due to the gravitational pull of the Earth. It is denoted by the symbol "g" and has a constant value of approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s²).

2. How is acceleration due to gravity measured?

Acceleration due to gravity can be measured using an accelerometer or by using the equation g = F/m, where g is the acceleration due to gravity, F is the force of gravity, and m is the mass of the object.

3. Does acceleration due to gravity vary on different planets?

Yes, acceleration due to gravity varies on different planets depending on their mass and radius. The formula for calculating acceleration due to gravity on a different planet is g = (G*M)/r², where G is the universal gravitational constant, M is the mass of the planet, and r is the distance from the center of the planet.

4. How does altitude affect acceleration due to gravity?

The higher the altitude, the farther away an object is from the center of the Earth and therefore the weaker the gravitational pull. This results in a slight decrease in acceleration due to gravity at higher altitudes.

5. What are the practical applications of understanding acceleration due to gravity?

Understanding acceleration due to gravity is crucial in fields such as physics, engineering, and astronomy. It is also important for activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, and space travel. Additionally, it helps us understand the motion of objects and the behavior of bodies in free fall.

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