Why do objects experience acceleration due to gravity?

AI Thread Summary
Objects accelerate due to gravity based on the context of the discussion. In basic physics, this acceleration is explained by Newton's law, where acceleration (a) equals the force of gravity (F) divided by mass (m). In more advanced discussions, such as general relativity, objects accelerate because spacetime itself moves past them, with the Earth's surface accelerating upwards at approximately 10 m/s² relative to spacetime. This dual perspective highlights the difference between classical mechanics and modern physics in understanding gravitational acceleration.
gimblet
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Why do objects accelerate due to gravity?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It depends on the context. If you are talking first semester physics or something like that, then the acceleration is due to the force of gravity according to Newton's law: a = F/m. If you are talking more sophisticated as in general relativity, then objects accelerate because spacetime moves past them. The surface of the Earth accelerates upwards at a rate of about 10 m/s<sup>2</sup> with respect to spacetime.
 

Thread 'Derivation of Hamilton's Principle: Questions'

I have recently been really interested in the derivation of Hamiltons Principle. On my research I found that with the term ##m \cdot \frac{d}{dt} (\frac{dr}{dt} \cdot \delta r) = 0## (1) one may derivate ##\delta \int (T - V) dt = 0## (2). The derivation itself I understood quiet good, but what I don't understand is where the equation (1) came from, because in my research it was just given and not derived from anywhere. Does anybody know where (1) comes from or why from it the...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Why Is an Object's Weight Equal to the Force of Gravity It Experiences?
2
Replies
51
Views
4K
B Why do we feel gravitational acceleration from the Earth and not from the Sun?
Replies
5
Views
2K
What determines heaviness of objects in Space?
Replies
6
Views
1K
Why does a falling object experience constant acceleration due to gravity?
Replies
3
Views
1K
Acceleration due to gravity of a rocket
Replies
12
Views
5K
Why Is Acceleration Due to Gravity a Constant? - Comments
Replies
5
Views
3K
B Effect of mass on the acceleration of an elastic pendulum?
Replies
2
Views
142
Compound pendulum experiment to find the acceleration due to gravity
Replies
1
Views
3K
Force to accelerate an object downward faster than g
Replies
3
Views
1K
B Acceleration of an Object Moving in Circular Path
Replies
6
Views
600

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top