What does this mean
- Thread starter Big Rig
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Because the speed of the object falls at a faster rate the longer it's in the air.
The first second it falls 32 feet.
In second #2 it falls an additional 64 feet.
Second #3 and it falls 96 feet.
The rate of the fall increases every second at 32 feet/second. Hence, the object falls 32 ft per second/per second.
(I knew grade 9 science would come in handy someday. Whodathunk it'd be on an escort review board??)
The first second it falls 32 feet.
In second #2 it falls an additional 64 feet.
Second #3 and it falls 96 feet.
The rate of the fall increases every second at 32 feet/second. Hence, the object falls 32 ft per second/per second.
(I knew grade 9 science would come in handy someday. Whodathunk it'd be on an escort review board??)
Because the phrase is wrong. An object does not travel at a velocity of 32 ft/s/s, this unit is a measure of acceleration
ft/s/s is a measure of the rate of change in velocity of an object
ft/s is a measure of the velocity of an object
It does NOT travel at 32 feet per second. It ACCELERATES at 32'/second/second. As something falls, gravity continues to pull on it. That pull is a force that causes the object to fall more quickly. The object will continue to accelerate unless there is an opposing force.
In the case of the Earth, there is an atmosphere that creates friction or resistance. As an object falls, it will gather speed until the force of the atmosphere pushes back as the same force as gravity. The object will achieve "terminal velocity", meaning it will not fall any faster.
For example, if I was to kick Capncrunch out of a perfectly good aircraft, he would start accelerating at 32f/second squared until he achieves terminal velocity and goes splat when he hits the ground.
But if I book the cap'n out and he is wearing a parachute, he will still fall to earth, but at a much lower terminal velocity (as long as the parachute deploys correctly).
but the 32ft/s/s only lasts so long.... then when the object starts to reach top velocity ("Terminal Velocity")...it no longer accelerates.
And the measurement of speed is then stated as ft/s only
And the measurement of speed is then stated as ft/s only
Factually incorrect. The object continues to be acted upon by gravity, therefore the item continues to accelerate. However, the force of resistance becomes equal to the force of acceleration causing a balance of forces. The item does not gain velocity only because there is a "braking" force equal to the acceleration.
The acceleration does not stop, however the change in velocity stops.
For sure that happens...but even in a vacumn there is a terminal velocity related to gravitational force. I think. But I could be wrong. I will check it out though and report back if necessary.
if acceleration is the change of velocity over time; how can the change in velocity stop and acceleration continue?
I was wrong...poster was right. Terminal velocity is a function of acceleration and resistance and buoancy opposing acceleration.
Holy crap guys, I think I just learned more about physics in 15 posts than my entire 12th grade physics class. Thanks. LOL
A change in direction is also acceleration, there is some vecxtor analysis involved but acceleration is the change in velocity of an object. Technically a velocity requires a direction ie., down left right or something similar. If the direction changes it is an acceleration. Speed is the scalar quantity. EG 32 ft per second is a speed 32 feet per second down is a velocity. It is a difference that matters to physicists and rocket pilots.
But as the object picks up speed does not the friction of the atmosphere increase drag slowing the velocity increase rate down ?????
Also is it not true that the mass of the object is irrelevant but WHY THE FUCK would this be true as the greater the mass the greater the earth's attraction ???
The earth's attraction is always the same...9.8 m/s/s. The FORCE at which an object falls towards the earth changes based on the object's mass. Of course, this is simplified, as there are other forces, including air resistance, etc. that come into play. This will sound arrogant, but if you don't recall your basic high school physics, then don't comment on this thread.
In theory, an object falling in a vacuum will continue to accelerate (increase in downward speed) until it hits the "ground' or whatever body is providing the gravitational force. Technically, the force of gravity is stronger the closer you get to the object in question so the rate of increase in speed (acceleration) would actually increase as the falling object got closer to the source of the gravitational force. Of course this is all hypothetical because, in the case of an ordinary object falling to earth, the variation in acceleration due to gravity would be unmeasurable.
However, in the atmosphere, the air resistance does provide an opposing force to that of gravity. because the force of air resistance is in proportion to the speed of the moving object the resisting force increases as the velocity of the object increases. A point is reached where the force of air resistance is the same as the force of gravity...but in the exact opposite direction. At this point, the object continues to fall at whatever speed it was going when this balance was reached; this is terminal velocity and varies from object to object based on its aerodynamic properties.
Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity over time. Thus, if the speed and direction of an object remain constant (such as that of an object falling at terminal velocity) the object is not accelerating and its acceleration is zero.
However, in the atmosphere, the air resistance does provide an opposing force to that of gravity. because the force of air resistance is in proportion to the speed of the moving object the resisting force increases as the velocity of the object increases. A point is reached where the force of air resistance is the same as the force of gravity...but in the exact opposite direction. At this point, the object continues to fall at whatever speed it was going when this balance was reached; this is terminal velocity and varies from object to object based on its aerodynamic properties.
Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity over time. Thus, if the speed and direction of an object remain constant (such as that of an object falling at terminal velocity) the object is not accelerating and its acceleration is zero.
Actually, the earth's attraction is the force of gravity, while 9.8 m/sec2 is the acceleration due to gravity. Subtle difference from what you wrote, maybe, but it does mean that you're not allowed to sound arrogant.
