Table of Contents
Why does mass not matter in free fall?
Near the surface of the earth the force of gravity varies as 1/r² while the distance varies as 1/r, so the acceleration is relatively constant and is g=9.8m/s², so the mass of the falling body matters very little.
How is free fall independent of mass?
In other words, the pull of gravity on an object is proportional to its mass. In other words, with a bigger mass, a greater force must be applied to cause the same acceleration. Putting the two equations together, a = F/m = mg/m. As a result, the acceleration of free fall a = g, is independent of an object’s mass.
Why does mass not affect projectile motion?
When writing equations of motion for a dropped object, mass is in the equations in 2 places and they cancel out. That is basically the reason that mass does not affect the results of analysis of a projectile. (In answering your question, you are obviously meant to ignore air resistance.
Why does mass not affect how fast something falls?
“What are the factors that affect the acceleration due to gravity?” Mass does not affect the acceleration due to gravity in any measurable way. The two quantities are independent of one another. Light objects accelerate more slowly than heavy objects only when forces other than gravity are also at work.
How does the mass of an object affect its acceleration during free fall?
Increasing force tends to increase acceleration while increasing mass tends to decrease acceleration. Thus, the greater force on more massive objects is offset by the inverse influence of greater mass. Subsequently, all objects free fall at the same rate of acceleration, regardless of their mass.
Why doesn’t a heavy object accelerate more than a light object when both are freely falling?
It is because the acceleration due to gravity is a constant in a particular region. Gravity doesn’t accelerate heavy objects faster and light objects slower.
Does the mass of an object affect its falling motion?
Mass does not affect the speed of falling objects, assuming there is only gravity acting on it. The horizontal force applied does not affect the downward motion of the bullets — only gravity and friction (air resistance), which is the same for both bullets.