Free Fall Formula

Free fall means that an object is falling freely with no forces acting upon it except gravity, a defined constant, g = -9.8 m/s². The distance the object falls, or height, h, is 1/2 gravity x the square of the time falling. Velocity is defined as gravity x time.

h = 1/2gt², m

v = gt, m/s

Free Fall Formulas Questions:

1) You're standing at the edge of a cliff and drop a ball. It takes 10 sec to hit the ground. How high up are you?

Answer: You know that gravity, g = 9.8 m/s², and time, t = 10 sec.

h = 1/2 gt²

h = 1/2 (9.8 m/s²) X (10 sec)²

h = 490 m

2) What was the velocity of the ball?

Answer: you know that gravity, g = 9.8 m/s² and time, t = 10 sec

v = gt

v = 9.8 m/s² x10 sec

v = 98 m/s