The acceleration due to gravity is a constant value of approximately 9.8 m/s². This means that, in the absence of air resistance, a body would fall at a constant speed of 9.8 m/s.
However, air resistance increases as the speed of the falling object increases. This means that the acceleration of the falling object decreases as it falls. Eventually, the air resistance will become equal to the force of gravity, and the object will reach its terminal velocity.
The terminal velocity of an object is the maximum speed at which it will fall. This speed is determined by the object's mass, surface area, and drag coefficient.
Here are some examples of how gravity and air resistance affect falling objects:
- A skydiver falls faster than a feather. This is because the skydiver has a greater mass and surface area than the feather, so he experiences more air resistance.
- A golf ball falls faster than a tennis ball. This is because the golf ball has a smaller surface area than the tennis ball, so it experiences less air resistance.
- A helicopter falls faster than a plane. This is because the helicopter's rotors create more air resistance than the plane's wings.
