What is the equation for calculating acceleration due to gravity on an asteroid?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the acceleration due to gravity on an asteroid based on the fall of a small object over a specified distance and time. The subject area includes kinematics and uniformly accelerated motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate acceleration by dividing distance by time and then by time again, questioning the correctness of this method. Some participants clarify that this approach finds average velocity rather than acceleration. Others suggest using equations related to uniformly accelerated motion and discuss the known variables, such as distance and time.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different equations and clarifying concepts related to acceleration and motion. There is an ongoing dialogue about the correct approach to use, with some guidance provided on relevant equations and the importance of known variables.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of information regarding the final velocity of the object, which is noted as a constraint in determining the correct method for calculating acceleration.

hovno1
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
1. On an asteroid a small object falls, from rest, 1.00m in 4.20s. What is the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the asteroid?



2.



3. I am getting an answer of 5.67 * 10^-2, by dividing the velocity (distance/time) by the time. Is this the correct?

I will really appreciate any feedback!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Acceleration is change in velocity divided by time taken.
Dividing that distance by the time taken would calculate the average velocity of the falling object, not the change in its velocity.
Do you know any equations for uniformly accelerated motion?
 
think I've done it now using the equation (Vf-Vi)/t=g. Is this the correct equation to use?
 
not quite, as you don't know the final velocity (though you can work it out), howevere, you do know the distance it travelled, usually called 's' or 'x'
 
The equation to use here is:
[tex] x=\frac{1}{2}gt^{2}[/tex]
As the initial speed was zero.
 

Similar threads

Replies
335
Views
17K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
16
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
4K