Free Fall Calculator
Calculate parameters for objects falling under gravity
Free fall is the motion of an object under the influence of gravity alone. In an ideal free fall:
- Only gravitational force acts on the object
- Air resistance is neglected
- Acceleration is constant (g ≈ 9.81 m/s² near Earth's surface)
- Motion is vertical
In reality, air resistance affects falling objects, but the ideal case provides a good approximation for many situations.
Key equations for free fall motion:
Final Velocity: v = v₀ + gt
Height: h = v₀t + ½gt²
Time of Fall: t = (-v₀ ± √(v₀² + 2gh))/g
Where:
- v is final velocity
- v₀ is initial velocity
- g is acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²)
- t is time
- h is height
During free fall, energy is converted between potential and kinetic forms:
Potential Energy: PE = mgh
Kinetic Energy: KE = ½mv²
Total Energy: E = PE + KE (constant)
Energy conversion principles:
- Maximum potential energy at highest point (minimum kinetic energy)
- Maximum kinetic energy at lowest point (minimum potential energy)
- Total mechanical energy is conserved in ideal free fall
Free fall calculations are important in many fields:
- Sports: High diving, pole vaulting, skydiving
- Engineering: Drop tests, impact analysis
- Construction: Safety calculations, material drops
- Space Science: Orbital mechanics, re-entry calculations
- Education: Teaching basic physics principles
Do heavier objects fall faster?
In an ideal free fall (no air resistance), all objects fall at the same rate regardless of their mass. This was famously demonstrated by Galileo. However, in reality, air resistance affects lighter objects more significantly.
How does air resistance affect free fall?
Air resistance opposes motion and increases with velocity. It eventually leads to terminal velocity, where the upward air resistance equals the downward gravitational force, resulting in constant velocity.
What is terminal velocity?
Terminal velocity is the constant speed reached when air resistance equals gravitational force. It depends on the object's mass, shape, and cross-sectional area. This calculator assumes ideal conditions without air resistance.