Velocity of an Object Dropped from Height: Law Explained

  • Thread starter Thread starter spookeh
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Coursework Laws
Click For Summary
An increase in the height from which an object is dropped positively correlates with its final velocity due to the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy. The Law of Conservation of Energy explains that as an object falls, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases, leading to higher speeds. While there is no specific law stating this relationship, it is derived from the principles of constant acceleration. Air resistance and terminal velocity can affect this motion, but in an ideal scenario without external forces, the velocity will increase with height. Understanding these concepts is crucial for analyzing motion in physics.
spookeh
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hello: I'm new here and I'm actually from the UK, but hey :biggrin:. I'm currently writing a piece of coursework on the motion of a trolley down a slope, and I was just wondering whether there was a law that states that an increase in the height from which an object is dropped positively correlates with the velocity of the object as it falls.

Thank you!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
an increase in the height from which an object is dropped positively correlates with the final velocity of the object as it falls.

It has more time to fall, so it will hit at a greater speed. There isn't a law that states this, but it follows from the mechanics of constant acceleration. You might want to note something about air resistance and terminal velocity.
 


Hello and welcome to the community! It's great to see you here and I'm happy to help with your coursework.

To answer your question, yes, there is a law that explains the relationship between the height from which an object is dropped and its velocity as it falls. This law is known as the Law of Conservation of Energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed.

In the case of an object being dropped from a height, it has a certain amount of potential energy due to its position in the gravitational field. As the object falls, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. The higher the initial height, the more potential energy the object has, and therefore, the more kinetic energy it will have as it falls.

This means that the velocity of the object will increase as it falls from a higher height, as more potential energy is being converted into kinetic energy. However, it's important to note that this law assumes there is no air resistance or other external forces affecting the object's motion.

I hope this helps with your coursework. Best of luck with it!
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Replies
34
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Replies
4
Views
8K