2.7 Falling Objects

OpenStax

Chapter 2 One-Dimensional Kinematics

2.7 Falling Objects

Summary

Describe the effects of gravity on objects in motion.
Describe the motion of objects that are in free fall.
Calculate the position and velocity of objects in free fall.

Falling objects form an interesting class of motion problems. For example, we can estimate the depth of a vertical mine shaft by dropping a rock into it and listening for the rock to hit the bottom. By applying the kinematics developed so far to falling objects, we can examine some interesting situations and learn much about gravity in the process.

Gravity

The most remarkable and unexpected fact about falling objects is that, if air resistance and friction are negligible, then in a given location all objects fall toward the center of Earth with the same constant acceleration, independent of their mass. This experimentally determined fact is unexpected, because we are so accustomed to the effects of air resistance and friction that we expect light objects to fall slower than heavy ones.

Positions of a feather and hammer over time as they fall on the Moon. The feather and hammer are at the exact same position at each moment in time. — **Figure 1.** A hammer and a feather will fall with the same constant acceleration if air resistance is considered negligible. This is a general characteristic of gravity not unique to Earth, as astronaut David R. Scott demonstrated on the Moon in 1971, where the acceleration due to gravity is only **1.67 m/s²**.

In the real world, air resistance can cause a lighter object to fall slower than a heavier object of the same size. A tennis ball will reach the ground after a hard baseball dropped at the same time. (It might be difficult to observe the difference if the height is not large.) Air resistance opposes the motion of an object through the air, while friction between objects—such as between clothes and a laundry chute or between a stone and a pool into which it is dropped—also opposes motion between them. For the ideal situations of these first few chapters, an object falling without air resistance or friction is defined to be in free-fall.

The force of gravity causes objects to fall toward the center of Earth. The acceleration of free-falling objects is therefore called the acceleration due to gravity. The acceleration due to gravity is constant, which means we can apply the kinematics equations to any falling object where air resistance and friction are negligible. This opens a broad class of interesting situations to us. The acceleration due to gravity is so important that its magnitude is given its own symbol, gg size 12{g} {}. It is constant at any given location on Earth and has the average value

$\boldsymbol{g\:=\:9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2.}$

Although $\boldsymbol{g}$ varies from $\boldsymbol{9.78\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ to $\boldsymbol{9.83\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ , depending on latitude, altitude, underlying geological formations, and local topography, the average value of $\boldsymbol{9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ will be used in this text unless otherwise specified. The direction of the acceleration due to gravity is downward (towards the center of Earth). In fact, its direction defines what we call vertical. Note that whether the acceleration $\boldsymbol{a}$ in the kinematic equations has the value $\boldsymbol{+g}$ or $\boldsymbol{-g}$ depends on how we define our coordinate system. If we define the upward direction as positive, then $\boldsymbol{a=-g=-9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ , and if we define the downward direction as positive, then $\boldsymbol{a=g=9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ .

One-Dimensional Motion Involving Gravity

The best way to see the basic features of motion involving gravity is to start with the simplest situations and then progress toward more complex ones. So we start by considering straight up and down motion with no air resistance or friction. These assumptions mean that the velocity (if there is any) is vertical. If the object is dropped, we know the initial velocity is zero. Once the object has left contact with whatever held or threw it, the object is in free-fall. Under these circumstances, the motion is one-dimensional and has constant acceleration of magnitude $\boldsymbol{g}.$ We will also represent vertical displacement with the symbol $\boldsymbol{y}$ and use $\boldsymbol{x}$ for horizontal displacement.

KINEMATIC EQUATIONS FOR OBJECTS IN FREE FALL WHERE ACCELERATION = -G

$\boldsymbol{v=v_0-gt}$

$\boldsymbol{y=y_0+v_0t-}$ $\boldsymbol{\frac{1}{2}}$ $\boldsymbol{gt^2}$

$\boldsymbol{v^2=v_0^2-2g(y-y_0)}$

Example 1: Calculating Position and Velocity of a Falling Object: A Rock Thrown Upward

A person standing on the edge of a high cliff throws a rock straight up with an initial velocity of 13.0 m/s. The rock misses the edge of the cliff as it falls back to earth. Calculate the position and velocity of the rock 1.00 s, 2.00 s, and 3.00 s after it is thrown, neglecting the effects of air resistance.

Strategy

Draw a sketch.

Velocity vector arrow pointing up in the positive y direction, labeled v sub 0 equals thirteen point 0 meters per second. Acceleration vector arrow pointing down in the negative y direction, labeled a equals negative 9 point 8 meters per second squared. — **Figure 2.**

We are asked to determine the position $\boldsymbol{y}$ at various times. It is reasonable to take the initial position $\boldsymbol{y_0}$ to be zero. This problem involves one-dimensional motion in the vertical direction. We use plus and minus signs to indicate direction, with up being positive and down negative. Since up is positive, and the rock is thrown upward, the initial velocity must be positive too. The acceleration due to gravity is downward, so $\boldsymbol{a}$ is negative. It is crucial that the initial velocity and the acceleration due to gravity have opposite signs. Opposite signs indicate that the acceleration due to gravity opposes the initial motion and will slow and eventually reverse it.

Since we are asked for values of position and velocity at three times, we will refer to these as $\boldsymbol{y_1}$ and $\boldsymbol{v_1}$ ; $\boldsymbol{y_2}$ and $\boldsymbol{v_2}$ ; and $\boldsymbol{y_3}$ and $\boldsymbol{v_3}$ .

Solution for Position $\boldsymbol{y_1}$

1. Identify the knowns. We know that $\boldsymbol{y_0=0}$ ; $\boldsymbol{v_0=13.0\textbf{ m/s}}$ ; $\boldsymbol{a=-g=-9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ ; and $\boldsymbol{t=1.00\textbf{ s}}$ .

2. Identify the best equation to use. We will use $\boldsymbol{y=y_0+v_0t+\frac{1}{2}at^2}$ because it includes only one unknown, $\boldsymbol{y}$ (or $\boldsymbol{y_1}$ , here), which is the value we want to find.

3. Plug in the known values and solve for $\boldsymbol{y_1}$ .

$\boldsymbol{y_1=0+(13.0\textbf{ m/s})(1.00\textbf{ s})+}$ $\boldsymbol{\frac{1}{2}}$ $\boldsymbol{(-9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2)(1.00\textbf{ s})^2=8.10\textbf{ m}}$

Discussion

The rock is 8.10 m above its starting point at $\boldsymbol{t=1.00}$ s, since $\boldsymbol{y_1>y_0}$ . It could be moving up or down; the only way to tell is to calculate $\boldsymbol{v_1}$ and find out if it is positive or negative.

Solution for Velocity $\boldsymbol{v_1}$

1. Identify the knowns. We know that $\boldsymbol{y_0=0}$ ; $\boldsymbol{v_0=13.0\textbf{ m/s}}$ ; $\boldsymbol{a=-g=-9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ ; and $\boldsymbol{t=1.00\textbf{ s}}$ . We also know from the solution above that $\boldsymbol{y_1=8.10\textbf{ m}}$ .

2. Identify the best equation to use. The most straightforward is $\boldsymbol{v=v_0-gt}$ (from $\boldsymbol{v=v_0+at}$ , where $\boldsymbol{a=\textbf{gravitational acceleration}=-g}$ ).

3. Plug in the knowns and solve.

$\boldsymbol{v_1=v_0-gt=13.0\textbf{ m/s}-(9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2)(1.00\textbf{ s})=3.20\textbf{ m/s}}$

Discussion

The positive value for $\boldsymbol{v_1}$ means that the rock is still heading upward at $\boldsymbol{t=1.00\textbf{ s}}$ . However, it has slowed from its original 13.0 m/s, as expected.

Solution for Remaining Times

The procedures for calculating the position and velocity at $\boldsymbol{t=2.00\textbf{ s}}$ and $\boldsymbol{3.00\textbf{ s}}$ are the same as those above. The results are summarized in Table 1 and illustrated in Figure 3.

Time, t	Position, y	Velocity, v	Acceleration, a
1.00 s	8.10 m	3.20 m/s	−9.80 m/s2
2.00 s	6.40 m	−6.60 m/s	−9.80 m/s2
3.00 s	−5.10 m	−16.4 m/s	−9.80 m/s2
Table 1. Results.

Graphing the data helps us understand it more clearly.

Three panels showing three graphs. The top panel shows a graph of vertical position in meters versus time in seconds. The line begins at the origin and has a positive slope that decreases over time until it hits a turning point between seconds 1 and 2. After that it has a negative slope that increases over time. The middle panel shows a graph of velocity in meters per second versus time in seconds. The line is straight, with a negative slope, beginning at time zero velocity of thirteen meters per second and ending at time 3 seconds with a velocity just over negative sixteen meters per second. The bottom panel shows a graph of acceleration in meters per second squared versus time in seconds. The line is straight and flat at a y value of negative 9 point 80 meters per second squared from time 0 to time 3 seconds. — **Figure 3.** Vertical position, vertical velocity, and vertical acceleration vs. time for a rock thrown vertically up at the edge of a cliff. Notice that velocity changes linearly with time and that acceleration is constant. *Misconception Alert!* Notice that the position vs. time graph shows vertical position only. It is easy to get the impression that the graph shows some horizontal motion—the shape of the graph looks like the path of a projectile. But this is not the case; the horizontal axis is time, not space. The actual path of the rock in space is straight up, and straight down.

Discussion

The interpretation of these results is important. At 1.00 s the rock is above its starting point and heading upward, since $\boldsymbol{y_1}$ and $\boldsymbol{v_1}$ are both positive. At 2.00 s, the rock is still above its starting point, but the negative velocity means it is moving downward. At 3.00 s, both $\boldsymbol{y_3}$ and $\boldsymbol{v_3}$ are negative, meaning the rock is below its starting point and continuing to move downward. Notice that when the rock is at its highest point (at 1.5 s), its velocity is zero, but its acceleration is still $\boldsymbol{-9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ . Its acceleration is $\boldsymbol{-9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ for the whole trip—while it is moving up and while it is moving down. Note that the values for $\boldsymbol{y}$ are the positions (or displacements) of the rock, not the total distances traveled. Finally, note that free-fall applies to upward motion as well as downward. Both have the same acceleration—the acceleration due to gravity, which remains constant the entire time. Astronauts training in the famous Vomit Comet, for example, experience free-fall while arcing up as well as down, as we will discuss in more detail later.

MAKING CONNECTIONS: TAKE HOME EXPERIMENT—REACTION TIME

A simple experiment can be done to determine your reaction time. Have a friend hold a ruler between your thumb and index finger, separated by about 1 cm. Note the mark on the ruler that is right between your fingers. Have your friend drop the ruler unexpectedly, and try to catch it between your two fingers. Note the new reading on the ruler. Assuming acceleration is that due to gravity, calculate your reaction time. How far would you travel in a car (moving at 30 m/s) if the time it took your foot to go from the gas pedal to the brake was twice this reaction time?

Example 2: Calculating Velocity of a Falling Object: A Rock Thrown Down

What happens if the person on the cliff throws the rock straight down, instead of straight up? To explore this question, calculate the velocity of the rock when it is 5.10 m below the starting point, and has been thrown downward with an initial speed of 13.0 m/s.

Strategy

Draw a sketch.

Velocity vector arrow pointing down in the negative y direction and labeled v sub zero equals negative thirteen point 0 meters per second. Acceleration vector arrow also pointing down in the negative y direction, labeled a equals negative 9 point 80 meters per second squared. — **Figure 4.**

Since up is positive, the final position of the rock will be negative because it finishes below the starting point at $\boldsymbol{y_0=0}$ . Similarly, the initial velocity is downward and therefore negative, as is the acceleration due to gravity. We expect the final velocity to be negative since the rock will continue to move downward.

Solution

1. Identify the knowns. $\boldsymbol{y_0=0}$ ; $\boldsymbol{y_1=-5.10\textbf{ m}}$ ; $\boldsymbol{v_0=-13.0\textbf{ m/s}}$ ; $\boldsymbol{a=-g=-9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ .

2. Choose the kinematic equation that makes it easiest to solve the problem. The equation $\boldsymbol{v^2=v_0^2+2a(y-y_0)}$ works well because the only unknown in it is $\boldsymbol{v}$ . (We will plug $\boldsymbol{y_1}$ in for $\boldsymbol{y}$ .)

3. Enter the known values

$\boldsymbol{v^2=(-13.0\textbf{ m/s})^2+2(-9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2)(-5.10\textbf{ m}-0\textbf{ m})=268.96\textbf{ m}^2/\textbf{s}^2}$ ,

where we have retained extra significant figures because this is an intermediate result.

Taking the square root, and noting that a square root can be positive or negative, gives

$\boldsymbol{v=\pm16.4\textbf{ m/s}}$ .

The negative root is chosen to indicate that the rock is still heading down. Thus,

$\boldsymbol{v=-16.4\textbf{ m/s.}}$

Discussion

Note that this is exactly the same velocity the rock had at this position when it was thrown straight upward with the same initial speed. (See Example 1 and Figure 5(a).) This is not a coincidental result. Because we only consider the acceleration due to gravity in this problem, the speed of a falling object depends only on its initial speed and its vertical position relative to the starting point. For example, if the velocity of the rock is calculated at a height of 8.10 m above the starting point (using the method from Example 1) when the initial velocity is 13.0 m/s straight up, a result of $\boldsymbol{\pm3.20\textbf{ m/s}}$ is obtained. Here both signs are meaningful; the positive value occurs when the rock is at 8.10 m and heading up, and the negative value occurs when the rock is at 8.10 m and heading back down. It has the same speed but the opposite direction.

Two figures are shown. At left, a man standing on the edge of a cliff throws a rock straight up with an initial speed of thirteen meters per second. At right, the man throws the rock straight down with a speed of thirteen meters per second. In both figures, a line indicates the rock’s trajectory. When the rock is thrown straight up, it has a speed of minus sixteen point four meters per second at minus five point one zero meters below the point where the man released the rock. When the rock is thrown straight down, the velocity is the same at this position.

Another way to look at it is this: In Example 1, the rock is thrown up with an initial velocity of $\boldsymbol{13.0\textbf{ m/s}}$ . It rises and then falls back down. When its position is $\boldsymbol{y=0}$ on its way back down, its velocity is $\boldsymbol{-13.0\textbf{ m/s}}$ . That is, it has the same speed on its way down as on its way up. We would then expect its velocity at a position of $\boldsymbol{y=-5.10\textbf{ m}}$ to be the same whether we have thrown it upwards at $\boldsymbol{+13.0\textbf{ m/s}}$ or thrown it downwards at $\boldsymbol{-13.0\textbf{ m/s}}.$ The velocity of the rock on its way down from $\boldsymbol{y=0}$ is the same whether we have thrown it up or down to start with, as long as the speed with which it was initially thrown is the same.

Example 3: Find g from Data on a Falling Object

The acceleration due to gravity on Earth differs slightly from place to place, depending on topography (e.g., whether you are on a hill or in a valley) and subsurface geology (whether there is dense rock like iron ore as opposed to light rock like salt beneath you.) The precise acceleration due to gravity can be calculated from data taken in an introductory physics laboratory course. An object, usually a metal ball for which air resistance is negligible, is dropped and the time it takes to fall a known distance is measured. See, for example, Figure 6. Very precise results can be produced with this method if sufficient care is taken in measuring the distance fallen and the elapsed time.

Figure has four panels. The first panel (on the top) is an illustration of a ball falling toward the ground at intervals of one tenth of a second. The space between the vertical position of the ball at one time step and the next increases with each time step. At time equals 0, position and velocity are also 0. At time equals 0 point 1 seconds, y position equals negative 0 point 049 meters and velocity is negative 0 point 98 meters per second. At 0 point 5 seconds, y position is negative 1 point 225 meters and velocity is negative 4 point 90 meters per second. The second panel (in the middle) is a line graph of position in meters versus time in seconds. Line begins at the origin and slopes down with increasingly negative slope. The third panel (bottom left) is a line graph of velocity in meters per second versus time in seconds. Line is straight, beginning at the origin and with a constant negative slope. The fourth panel (bottom right) is a line graph of acceleration in meters per second squared versus time in seconds. Line is flat, at a constant y value of negative 9 point 80 meters per second squared.

Suppose the ball falls 1.0000 m in 0.45173 s. Assuming the ball is not affected by air resistance, what is the precise acceleration due to gravity at this location?

Strategy

Draw a sketch.

The figure shows a green dot labeled v sub zero equals zero meters per second, a purple downward pointing arrow labeled a equals question mark, and an x y coordinate system with the y axis pointing vertically up and the x axis pointing horizontally to the right. — **Figure 7.**

We need to solve for acceleration $\boldsymbol{a}$ . Note that in this case, displacement is downward and therefore negative, as is acceleration.

Solution

1. Identify the knowns. $\boldsymbol{y_0=0}$ ; $\boldsymbol{y=-1.0000\textbf{ m}}$ ; $\boldsymbol{t=0.45173\textbf{ s}}$ ; $\boldsymbol{v_0=0}.$

2. Choose the equation that allows you to solve for $\boldsymbol{a}$ using the known values.

$\boldsymbol{y=y_0+v_0t+\frac{1}{2}at^2}$

3. Substitute 0 for $\boldsymbol{v_0}$ and rearrange the equation to solve for $\boldsymbol{a}$ . Substituting 0 for $\boldsymbol{v_0}$ yields

$\boldsymbol{y=y_0+\frac{1}{2}at^2.}$

Solving for $\boldsymbol{a}$ gives

$\boldsymbol{a=}$ $\boldsymbol{\frac{2(y-y_0)}{t^2}.}$

4. Substitute known values yields

$\boldsymbol{a=}$ $\boldsymbol{\frac{2(-1.0000\textbf{ m} - 0)}{(0.45173\textbf{ s})^2}}$ $\boldsymbol{=-9.8010\textbf{ m/s}^2,}$

so, because $\boldsymbol{a=-g}$ with the directions we have chosen,

$\boldsymbol{g=9.8010\textbf{ m/s}^2.}$

Discussion

The negative value for $\boldsymbol{a}$ indicates that the gravitational acceleration is downward, as expected. We expect the value to be somewhere around the average value of $\boldsymbol{9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2,}$ so $\boldsymbol{9.8010\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ makes sense. Since the data going into the calculation are relatively precise, this value for $\boldsymbol{g}$ is more precise than the average value of $\boldsymbol{9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ ; it represents the local value for the acceleration due to gravity.

Check Your Understanding

PHET EXPLORATIONS: EQUATION GRAPHER

Learn about graphing polynomials. The shape of the curve changes as the constants are adjusted. View the curves for the individual terms (e.g. $\boldsymbol{y=bx}$ ) to see how they add to generate the polynomial curve.

Section Summary

An object in free-fall experiences constant acceleration if air resistance is negligible.
On Earth, all free-falling objects have an acceleration due to gravity $\boldsymbol{g}$ , which averages
$\boldsymbol{g=9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ .
Whether the acceleration a should be taken as $\boldsymbol{+g}$ or $\boldsymbol{-g}$ is determined by your choice of coordinate system. If you choose the upward direction as positive, $\boldsymbol{a=-g=-9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ is negative. In the opposite case, $\boldsymbol{a=+g=9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2}$ is positive. Since acceleration is constant, the kinematic equations above can be applied with the appropriate $\boldsymbol{+g}$ or $\boldsymbol{-g}$ substituted for $\boldsymbol{a}$ .
For objects in free-fall, up is normally taken as positive for displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

Conceptual Questions

1: What is the acceleration of a rock thrown straight upward on the way up? At the top of its flight? On the way down?

2: An object that is thrown straight up falls back to Earth. This is one-dimensional motion. (a) When is its velocity zero? (b) Does its velocity change direction? (c) Does the acceleration due to gravity have the same sign on the way up as on the way down?

3: Suppose you throw a rock nearly straight up at a coconut in a palm tree, and the rock misses on the way up but hits the coconut on the way down. Neglecting air resistance, how does the speed of the rock when it hits the coconut on the way down compare with what it would have been if it had hit the coconut on the way up? Is it more likely to dislodge the coconut on the way up or down? Explain.

4: If an object is thrown straight up and air resistance is negligible, then its speed when it returns to the starting point is the same as when it was released. If air resistance were not negligible, how would its speed upon return compare with its initial speed? How would the maximum height to which it rises be affected?

5: The severity of a fall depends on your speed when you strike the ground. All factors but the acceleration due to gravity being the same, how many times higher could a safe fall on the Moon be than on Earth (gravitational acceleration on the Moon is about 1/6 that of the Earth)?

6: How many times higher could an astronaut jump on the Moon than on Earth if his takeoff speed is the same in both locations (gravitational acceleration on the Moon is about 1/6 of $\boldsymbol{g}$ on Earth)?

Problems & Exercises

Note: Assume air resistance is negligible unless otherwise stated.

1: Calculate the displacement and velocity at times of (a) 0.500, (b) 1.00, (c) 1.50, and (d) 2.00 s for a ball thrown straight up with an initial velocity of 15.0 m/s. Take the point of release to be $\boldsymbol{y_0=0}.$

3: A basketball referee tosses the ball straight up for the starting tip-off. At what velocity must a basketball player leave the ground to rise 1.25 m above the floor in an attempt to get the ball?

5: A dolphin in an aquatic show jumps straight up out of the water at a velocity of 13.0 m/s. (a) List the knowns in this problem. (b) How high does his body rise above the water? To solve this part, first note that the final velocity is now a known and identify its value. Then identify the unknown, and discuss how you chose the appropriate equation to solve for it. After choosing the equation, show your steps in solving for the unknown, checking units, and discuss whether the answer is reasonable. (c) How long is the dolphin in the air? Neglect any effects due to his size or orientation.

7: (a) Calculate the height of a cliff if it takes 2.35 s for a rock to hit the ground when it is thrown straight up from the cliff with an initial velocity of 8.00 m/s. (b) How long would it take to reach the ground if it is thrown straight down with the same speed?

9: You throw a ball straight up with an initial velocity of 15.0 m/s. It passes a tree branch on the way up at a height of 7.00 m. How much additional time will pass before the ball passes the tree branch on the way back down?

11: Standing at the base of one of the cliffs of Mt. Arapiles in Victoria, Australia, a hiker hears a rock break loose from a height of 105 m. He can’t see the rock right away but then does, 1.50 s later. (a) How far above the hiker is the rock when he can see it? (b) How much time does he have to move before the rock hits his head?

13: There is a 250-m-high cliff at Half Dome in Yosemite National Park in California. Suppose a boulder breaks loose from the top of this cliff. (a) How fast will it be going when it strikes the ground? (b) Assuming a reaction time of 0.300 s, how long will a tourist at the bottom have to get out of the way after hearing the sound of the rock breaking loose (neglecting the height of the tourist, which would become negligible anyway if hit)? The speed of sound is 335 m/s on this day.

15: Suppose you drop a rock into a dark well and, using precision equipment, you measure the time for the sound of a splash to return. (a) Neglecting the time required for sound to travel up the well, calculate the distance to the water if the sound returns in 2.0000 s. (b) Now calculate the distance taking into account the time for sound to travel up the well. The speed of sound is 332.00 m/s in this well.

17: A coin is dropped from a hot-air balloon that is 300 m above the ground and rising at 10.0 m/s upward. For the coin, find (a) the maximum height reached, (b) its position and velocity 4.00 s after being released, and (c) the time before it hits the ground.

Glossary

free-fall: the state of movement that results from gravitational force only

acceleration due to gravity: acceleration of an object as a result of gravity

Solutions

Problems & Exercises

1:

(a) $\boldsymbol{y_1=6.28\textbf{ m}};\boldsymbol{v_1=10.1\textbf{ m/s}}$

(b) $\boldsymbol{y_2=10.1\textbf{ m}};\boldsymbol{v_2=5.20\textbf{ m/s}}$

(c) $\boldsymbol{y_3=11.5\textbf{ m}};\boldsymbol{v_3=0.300\textbf{ m/s}}$ , (d) $\boldsymbol{y_4=10.4\textbf{ m}};\boldsymbol{v_4=-4.60\textbf{ m/s}}$

3: $\boldsymbol{v_0=4.95\textbf{ m/s}}$

5:

(a) $\boldsymbol{a=-9.80\textbf{ m/s}^2};\boldsymbol{v_0=13.0\textbf{ m/s}};\boldsymbol{y_0=0\textbf{ m}}$

(b) $\boldsymbol{v=0\textbf{ m/s}}.$ Unknown is distance $\boldsymbol{y}$ to top of trajectory, where velocity is zero. Use equation $\boldsymbol{v^2=v_0^2+2a(y-y_0)}$ because it contains all known values except for $\boldsymbol{y},$ so we can solve for $\boldsymbol{y}.$ Solving for $\boldsymbol{y}$ gives

$\begin{array}{r @{{}={}} l} \boldsymbol{v^2 - v_0^2} & \boldsymbol{2a(y - y_0)} \\[1em] \boldsymbol{\frac{v^2 - v_0}{2a}} & \boldsymbol{y - y_0} \\[1em] \boldsymbol{y} & \boldsymbol{y_0 + \frac{v^2 - v^2_0}{2a} = 0 \;\textbf{m} + \frac{(0 \;\textbf{m/s})^2 - (13.0 \;\textbf{m/s})^2}{2(-9.80 \;\textbf{m/s}^2)} = 8.62 \;\textbf{m}} \end{array}$

Dolphins measure about 2 meters long and can jump several times their length out of the water, so this is a reasonable result.

(c) $\boldsymbol{2.65\textbf{ s}}$

7:

Path of a rock being thrown off of cliff. The rock moves up from the cliff top, reaches a transition point, and then falls down to the ground. — **Figure 9.**

(a) 8.26 m

(b) 0.717 s

9: 1.91 s

11: (a) 94.0 m, (b) 3.13 s

13: (a) -70.0 m/s (downward), (b) 6.10 s

15: (a) $\boldsymbol{19.6\textbf{ m}}$ , (b) $\boldsymbol{18.5\textbf{ m}}$

17: (a) 305 m, (b) 262 m, -29.2 m/s, (c) 8.91 s

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Summary

Gravity

One-Dimensional Motion Involving Gravity

KINEMATIC EQUATIONS FOR OBJECTS IN FREE FALL WHERE ACCELERATION = -G

Example 1: Calculating Position and Velocity of a Falling Object: A Rock Thrown Upward

MAKING CONNECTIONS: TAKE HOME EXPERIMENT—REACTION TIME

Example 2: Calculating Velocity of a Falling Object: A Rock Thrown Down

Example 3: Find g from Data on a Falling Object

Check Your Understanding

PHET EXPLORATIONS: EQUATION GRAPHER

Section Summary

Conceptual Questions

Problems & Exercises

Glossary

Solutions

License

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