Gravity and Motion

Acceleration due to gravity

Acceleration-the rate at which velocity changes over time.

All objects accelerate toward Earth at a rate of 9.8 meters per second per second.

Terminal velocity

The constant velocity of a falling object when the force of gravity is balanced by air resistance.

The parachute increases the air resistance of this sky diver and slows him to a safe terminal velocity.

Orbit

The path of one object around in space.

Free Fall

The motion of a body when only the force of gravity is acting on the body.

Centripetal Force

An unbalanced force that cause objects to move in a circular path.

Air Resistance

The force that opposes the motion of objects through air.

Momentum

The momentum of an object depends on the object’s mass and velocity. The more momentum an object has, the harder it is to stop the object or change its direction.

Momentum (p) can be calculated with the equation below:

p = mass × velocity

Projectile Motion

The curved path of a thrown object near Earth’s surface.

Projectile Motion

Vertical –Vertical motion is motion that is perpendicular to the ground.

Gravity pulls everything on Earth downward toward the center of Earth. A ball in your hand is prevented from falling by your hand. After you throw the ball, gravity pulls it downward and gives the ball vertical motion.

Horizontal- horizontal motion is motion parallel to the ground.

Question 1

The path of one object around in space

Orbit

Question 2

An unbalanced force that cause objects to move in a circular path

Centripetal force

Question 3

The motion of a body when only the force of gravity is acting on the body

Free fall

Question 4

The curved path of a thrown object near Earth’s surface

Projectile Motion

Question 5

The constant velocity of a falling object when the force of gravity is balanced by air resistance

Terminal Velocity

Question 6

The force that opposes the motion of objects through air

Air Resistance