Gravity Q: Acceleration w/o Terminal Velocity?

  • Thread starter Semper Paratus
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In summary, gravity is a natural force that attracts objects with mass towards each other, causing the formation and movement of celestial bodies and the weight of objects on Earth. It causes acceleration by pulling objects towards the center of the Earth at a constant rate of 9.8 meters per second squared. Terminal velocity is the maximum speed an object can reach when falling due to the force of gravity being balanced by air resistance. An object can accelerate without reaching terminal velocity if the force of gravity is greater than air resistance. Gravity affects all objects with mass in the same way, but objects with larger mass experience a greater gravitational force and accelerate faster.
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Semper Paratus
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I understand the acceleration of gravity and terminal velocity, but what if the forces that create terminal velocity are eliminated, does the acceleration continue unabated to infinity?
 
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The acceleration continues upto the speed of light the ultimate terminal velocity although it will actually approach light speed and never reach it.
 
  • #3
You will continue to accelerate...forever...but you will never reach the speed of light. Of course in the real world you would not be able to accelerate forever, as you would splat into a planet or star or something. It would hurt.
 

1. What is gravity?

Gravity is a natural force that causes objects with mass to be attracted toward each other. It is responsible for the formation and movement of celestial bodies, as well as the weight of objects on Earth.

2. How does gravity cause acceleration?

Gravity causes acceleration by pulling objects towards the center of the Earth at a rate of 9.8 meters per second squared. This means that an object will increase its velocity by 9.8 meters per second every second it falls.

3. What is terminal velocity?

Terminal velocity is the maximum speed that an object can reach when falling due to the force of gravity. This occurs when the force of gravity is balanced by the force of air resistance, resulting in a constant velocity.

4. Can an object accelerate without reaching terminal velocity?

Yes, an object can accelerate without reaching terminal velocity if the force of gravity is greater than the force of air resistance. This will cause the object to continue to increase in velocity until it reaches the ground.

5. How does gravity affect different objects?

Gravity affects all objects with mass in the same way, regardless of their size or shape. However, objects with a larger mass will have a greater gravitational force acting on them, causing them to accelerate faster than objects with a smaller mass.

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