Physics: Free Fall and Galileo's Laws

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Questions and Answers

What is free fall?

Linear motion without any forces acting on it.
Linear motion under the influence of gravity only. (correct)
Linear motion solely influenced by air resistance.
Linear motion influenced by both gravity and friction.

In free fall, what is the acceleration towards the Earth?

8.0 m/s²
9.5 m/s²
9.8 m/s² (correct)
10.0 m/s²

Which statement is true regarding free-falling objects?

They experience significant air resistance.
They only fall from a height of greater than 10 meters.
They can have an initial velocity other than zero. (correct)
They are influenced by factors such as friction and wind.

Which of the following variables are linked by the kinematic equations?

Displacement, Initial Velocity, Constant Acceleration (C) Signup and view all the answers

What must be true about the acceleration for kinematic equations to apply?

It must be constant. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the kinematic equations?

To determine unknown aspects of motion based on known variables. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not one of the kinematic variables?

Final Acceleration (B) Signup and view all the answers

If an object is thrown upward with an initial velocity, what influences its downward motion afterward?

The force of gravity. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Galileo Galilei

Italian physicist and astronomer
Lived from 1564 to 1642
Formulated laws governing object motion in free fall
Defended Nicolaus Copernicus's heliocentric theory

Free Falling

Linear motion of an object influenced only by gravity
Doesn't always involve being dropped from rest
Occurs in a vacuum, meaning no air resistance
Objects accelerate towards Earth at 9.8 m/s²

Kinematic Equations

Describe the relationship between variables in free-falling objects
Apply only when acceleration is constant
Link five kinematic variables:
- Displacement (Δd or Δx)
- Initial velocity (v₀ or v_i)
- Final velocity (v_f)
- Time interval (t)
- Constant acceleration (a)
Include four equations:
- Velocity Equation: v_f = v₀ + at
- Displacement Equation: Δd = v₀t + (1/2)at²
- Velocity Squared Equation: v_f² = v₀² + 2aΔd
- Average Velocity Equation: v_avg = (v₀ + v_f)/2

Example: John's Golf Ball

John throws a golf ball upward at 26.2 m/s

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Description

This quiz explores the contributions of Galileo Galilei to physics, including his formulation of laws governing motion in free fall. It covers the dynamics of free-falling objects, kinematic equations, and the concepts of acceleration and velocity. Test your understanding of these fundamental principles of physics!