Gravitational Acceleration in Homogeneous Fields

In summary, the thought experiment which Jens brought up helps to understand physics for undergraduates better. It is surprising that different objects fall with the same acceleration, as Galileo first showed in around 1600.
  • #1
jensel
22
0
Hi,

Something which I never read in a physics book.
Let us take a homogeneous gravitational field. Now let's take an appel. Let us watching it falling. Now let's cut it into two pieces. If there would be a very short distance, would we really expect that both pieces now fall slower or faster? Do we really expect, if both pieces have different size, different physics? I wouldn't. Now take two apples and so on. Logically you shouldn't see a difference. I think this thought experiment which I never saw in this context may help to understand physics for undergraduates. Thanks for comments.


Jens
 
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  • #2
jensel said:
Hi,

Something which I never read in a physics book.
Let us take a homogeneous gravitational field. Now let's take an appel. Let us watching it falling. Now let's cut it into two pieces. If there would be a very short distance, would we really expect that both pieces now fall slower or faster? Do we really expect, if both pieces have different size, different physics? I wouldn't. Now take two apples and so on. Logically you shouldn't see a difference. I think this thought experiment which I never saw in this context may help to understand physics for undergraduates. Thanks for comments.


Jens

You're right - but that's actually very well known. In particular, that is essentially the same argument that Galileo used when he first worked out that different objects should fall with the same acceleration, in around 1600.
 
  • #3
Jonathan Scott said:
You're right - but that's actually very well known. In particular, that is essentially the same argument that Galileo used when he first worked out that different objects should fall with the same acceleration, in around 1600.

I would never say that this thought is new - I just find this point is not teached very well. I found it surprising that a feather falls down the same way as an iron bar, as a child. For me, it was just measured and astonishing and I find "my" little "thought experiment" very convincing. A feather is influenced by friction. I think that those experiments in mind help to understand physics better. If you explain it in more logical way. I found it working well, when I had students. Logical and symmetrical thoughts are not used in teaching very well, that's my opinion (for example to explain sine function etc.) Thanks.
 

FAQ: Gravitational Acceleration in Homogeneous Fields

1. What is gravitational acceleration in homogeneous fields?

Gravitational acceleration in homogeneous fields is the acceleration experienced by an object due to the force of gravity in a uniform gravitational field. It is a measure of how quickly an object's velocity changes as it falls towards a massive body, such as the Earth.

2. How is gravitational acceleration in homogeneous fields calculated?

The gravitational acceleration in a homogeneous field can be calculated using the formula g = G * M / r^2, where g is the gravitational acceleration, G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the object creating the gravitational field, and r is the distance between the two objects.

3. Is gravitational acceleration in homogeneous fields constant?

Yes, gravitational acceleration in homogeneous fields is constant, meaning it does not change with the mass or size of the object being affected by the gravitational force. This is because homogeneous fields have a uniform distribution of mass, resulting in a consistent gravitational force.

4. How does gravitational acceleration in homogeneous fields differ from non-homogeneous fields?

In non-homogeneous fields, the distribution of mass is not uniform, and therefore the gravitational force experienced by an object can vary depending on its location within the field. This results in a varying gravitational acceleration, unlike in homogeneous fields where it is constant.

5. What are some real-life examples of gravitational acceleration in homogeneous fields?

Some real-life examples of gravitational acceleration in homogeneous fields include objects falling towards Earth, the motion of planets in the solar system, and the acceleration of objects towards the center of a mass in a uniform spherical body, such as a planet or star.

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