Fall Duration Calculator: Objects of Different Mass from 10m to 2m

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on calculating the fall duration of two objects with varying masses (1 kg and 10 kg, 2 kg and 10 kg, etc.) from a height of 10 meters to 2 meters using iterative calculations in Excel. The results presented by the user indicate unexpectedly long durations, ranging from 12.3 to 15.1 days, which prompted confusion among participants regarding the validity of the calculations. The conversation reveals that the scenario involves gravitational attraction between the two objects in free space, rather than free fall towards Earth, which significantly alters the expected results. Participants suggest using concepts like reduced mass and gravitational force to clarify the calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newtonian gravity and gravitational attraction
  • Familiarity with the concept of reduced mass
  • Proficiency in Excel for iterative calculations
  • Basic knowledge of kinetic energy and motion equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of reduced mass in gravitational systems
  • Learn how to calculate gravitational potential energy between two masses
  • Study the equations for falling bodies and their implications in different gravitational contexts
  • Explore the calculation of escape velocity and its dependence on mass and distance
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Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in gravitational calculations and the dynamics of falling objects in non-Earth environments.

  • #61
Luc B said:
A correct analysis would be to start with the same experimental scenario, identify the laws used by each person, determine the prediction for each, and compare the predictions to the actual results of the experiment.

That's a very good idea. You would need to design your experiment carefully because the differences in the predictions can be very small. They would be too small to show up in the experiment you proposed in #1 and #8.

Both Newton's and Einstein's laws predict that the gravitational force of the sun will bend the light from a star passing near the sun on it's way to Earth. This would make stars appear to be in the wrong place as the sun passes in front of them. Einstein's General Relativity predicts the light will bend twice as much as Newton so you have a way to test who is correct.

The experiment to see which was correct was first done in 1919 by Eddington and showed Einstein was correct.

https://thethoughtstash.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/how-eddington-demonstrated-that-einstein-was-right/
 
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  • #62
The OP in no longer with us. Time to close the thread.
 
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