1. Acceleration: Gravity is a force that causes acceleration. This means it changes an object's velocity over time.
* Constant Acceleration: Near the surface of the Earth, gravity causes a constant acceleration of approximately 9.8 m/s² (meters per second squared). This means for every second an object falls, its downward velocity increases by 9.8 m/s.
* Direction: Gravity always acts downward, meaning it causes a change in the vertical component of velocity.
2. Free Fall:
* Initial Velocity: If an object is dropped from rest, its initial velocity is 0. Gravity then accelerates it downward.
* Increasing Velocity: As the object falls, its velocity increases constantly due to gravity.
* Terminal Velocity: Eventually, air resistance will balance the force of gravity, and the object reaches a constant velocity called terminal velocity.
3. Projectile Motion:
* Vertical Velocity: Gravity affects the vertical component of a projectile's velocity, causing it to slow down as it goes up and speed up as it goes down.
* Horizontal Velocity: Gravity doesn't directly affect the horizontal velocity of a projectile. However, the time the projectile spends in the air is affected by gravity, which indirectly influences the horizontal distance it travels.
In Summary:
* Gravity causes a constant downward acceleration.
* This acceleration increases an object's downward velocity.
* Gravity affects the vertical component of velocity in projectile motion.
* Gravity indirectly affects the horizontal distance a projectile travels.
Important Note: The effects of gravity are dependent on the mass of the object creating the gravitational field (e.g., the Earth). For example, the gravity on the moon is weaker than on Earth, resulting in a slower rate of acceleration.