1. Constant Acceleration:
* Gravity exerts a constant downward force on objects near the Earth's surface. This force causes objects to accelerate downwards.
* The acceleration due to gravity (g) is approximately 9.8 m/s². This means that for every second an object falls, its downward velocity increases by 9.8 meters per second.
2. Increasing Velocity:
* As an object falls, its velocity constantly increases due to the acceleration caused by gravity.
* This means that the object falls faster and faster the longer it falls.
3. Air Resistance:
* While the above is true in a vacuum, in reality, air resistance plays a role.
* As an object falls, it encounters air resistance, which opposes its motion.
* The effect of air resistance increases with the object's speed.
* Eventually, the force of air resistance becomes equal to the force of gravity, and the object reaches a terminal velocity, where it stops accelerating.
4. Terminal Velocity:
* Terminal velocity is the maximum speed an object can reach while falling. It depends on the object's shape, size, and mass, as well as the density of the air.
* For example, a feather has a much lower terminal velocity than a rock because it encounters more air resistance due to its shape and low mass.
In Summary:
* Gravity causes objects to accelerate downwards, leading to a constant increase in their velocity.
* Air resistance counteracts this acceleration, ultimately limiting the object's velocity to its terminal velocity.
* The effect of gravity on velocity is fundamental to our understanding of motion and the world around us.
