Free Fall, Terminal Velocity, Golf-ball Gizmo

Free Fall: Downward motion → only force acting upon an object is gravity (no air resistance)

• All objects accelerate at the same rate regardless of their masses in FREE FALL   * Due to acceleration of gravity ALWAYS at 9.81 m/s^2   * Motion of objects can be easily predicted

Instantaneous Speed Formula: v = at

\ In reality, all falling objects meet air resistance:

• As object falls, air resistance gradually becomes equal to pull of gravity.
• At this point velocity = constant (terminal velocity)
• Heavier object takes longer to reach terminal velocity

\ Calculate the acceleration of a falling object: a = (vcurrent – vinitial) / t

\ To calculate vx, multiply vinitial by the cosine of the angle: vx = vinitial • cos(θ)

To calculate vy, multiply vinitial by the sine of the angle: vy = vinitial • sin(θ)

\ An object flying through the air is said to be in free fall (no air-resistance)

• Horizontal component of velocity (vx) does not change as the object moves (no horizontal forces acting on object due to no drag)
• Vertical component (vy) decreases over time due to force of gravity

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