1

2.3 Free Fall

Motion
LESSON 3
2
OBJECTIVES.
2
0
2 2
0
1
2
2
o
s v t gt
v v gt
v v gs



To describe and use the Equations of free fall motion :
3
2.3 : Free Fall Motion
Definition : A motion of an object under the
influence of gravity only, regardless of its initial
motion.
Freely falling objects have an acceleration due to
gravity which is acting in the downward direction,
g = 9.81 m s
-2
.
g = 9.81 m s
-2
4
Equations of free fall motion
sign convention
Upward
Motion
Downward
motion
Displacement, s +ve -ve
Velocity, v +ve -ve
Acceleration due
to gravity, g
-ve -ve
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Free fall : downward motion
Object releases from rest at height, h. Its displacement ,
when it reaches the ground, s = -h

h
t = 0
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Example 1 : Downward motion
Solution :
v
o
= 0 ; s = -20 m ; g = -9.81m s
-2

Using s = v
o
t - gt
2

-20 = 0 - (9.81)t
2

t = 4.08 s
v = v
o
- gt = 0 - (9.81)(4.08)
= - 40.02 m s
-1
[ -ve: downward]
An object is released from rest at height, 20 m from a
building . Calculate the (i) time
(ii) velocity
when it reaches the ground.
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Example 2 : Downward motion
Solution :
v
0
= 0, t =10 s, g = -9.81 m s
-2

Using s = v
0
t - gt
2

s = 0 - (9.81)(10)
2

= -491m (the height is 491 m)
v = v
o
- gt = 0 - (9.81)(10)
= - 98.1m s
-1
(-ve: downward)
An object is released from rest at height, h, from a building. It
takes 10 s to reach the ground.
Calculate (i) the height of the building
(ii) the velocity when the object hits the ground.
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A ball is thrown vertically upward with v
o
= 20 m s
-1
.
Calculate (i) the maximum height
(ii) the flight time .
Solution:
At maximum height, velocity, v = 0.
v
0
= 20 m s
-1
, g = 9.81 m s
-2

Using v = v
0
- gt
0 = 20 - 9.81t
Flight time, t = 2.04 s
v = 0
+v
o
Example 3 : Upward motion
m 4 . 20
) 81 . 9 ( 2 20 0
2
2
2
o
2

H
H
gs v v
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Example 4 :Upward and downward motion

Solution :
Displacement, s = 0
v
o
= initial velocity = +10 m s
-1

Using v
2
= v
o
2
- 2gs
= (+10)
2
2 (9.81)(0)
v = -10 m s
-1

Using s = v
o
t - gt
2

0 = 10t - (9.81)t
2

t = 2.04 s.
v
o

v
An object is thrown vertically upward with velocity 10 m s
-1
.
Calculate (i) its final velocity when it reaches the ground
(ii) the flight time
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Example 5 : Upward and downward motion
H
t = 0
An object is launched from a table of height, 5 m
with velocity 10 m s
-1
, calculate ;
(a) The maximum height.
(b) The time of flight
(c) Its velocity and height when t = 2 s
(d) Its velocity when it hits the ground.
Solution :
(a) Given: v
o
= 10 m s
-1
; at maximum height, v = 0
Using v
2
= v
o
2
- 2gs
0 = 10
2
-2 (9.81)H
H = 5.10 m
Maximum height, H = 5.10 + 5.0 = 10.10 m
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(b) Displacement, s = -5m, v
o
= 10 m s
-1
, time of flight = T
Using s = v
o
t - gt
2
-5 = 10 T - (9.81) T
2
9.81T
2
20T- 10=0
Solution of Example 5 : Upward and downward motion
2
( 20) ( 20) 4(9.81)( 10)
2(9.81)
T

= 2.45 s (accept positive value only)

(c ) Given t = 2 s, time of flight, T = 2.45 s
Using v = v
o
- gt
v = (+10) - (9.81)(2) = - 9.62 m s
-1
(downward)

Using s = v
o
t - gt
2

= (10)(2) - (9.81)(2)
2

= + 0.38 m

It is moving downward and stops
at point, P = 0.38 m above the table.
Height = 5 + 0.38 = 5.38 m
H
t=0
+0.38m
P
Initial
position
Final
position
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(d) Time of flight, T = 2.45 s, v
o
= +10 m s
-1
,
Displacement, s = -5 m
Using v = v
o
gt ;
v =10 - (9.81)(2.45)
v = -14.03 m s
-1
(moving downward)
Or Using v
2
= v
o
2
- 2as;
v
2
= 10
2
-2 (9.81)(-5)
v = 14.07
= - 14.07 m s
-1
(moving downward)

Solution of Example 5 : Upward and downward motion
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Conclusion
2
0
2 2
0
1
2
2
o
s v t gt
v v gt
v v gs



Equations of free fall motion :