What is the vertical velocity/acceleration due to gravity?

Question image

Understand the Problem

The question is asking for the vertical velocity or acceleration of an object due to gravity when it falls from a height of 20 meters. It's important to recognize that in this context, the acceleration due to gravity is a constant value, approximately 9.8 m/s², regardless of the height. The question might also be implying a need to calculate the potential velocity as the object falls, but the primary inquiry revolves around the acceleration aspect.

Answer

The vertical acceleration due to gravity is $9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2$.
Answer for screen readers

The vertical acceleration due to gravity is $9.8 , \text{m/s}^2$.

Steps to Solve

  1. Understanding Gravity's Role

The acceleration due to gravity is a constant value, approximately $g = 9.8 , \text{m/s}^2$. This value does not change regardless of the height from which an object falls.

  1. Identifying the Question Parameters

The question focuses on the vertical velocity or acceleration due to gravity as the object falls from a height of 20 meters. Here, we specifically want the acceleration aspect.

  1. Conclusion on Acceleration

Since we are asked about the vertical acceleration due to gravity, the answer remains the same regardless of the object's height:

$$ a = g = 9.8 , \text{m/s}^2 $$

  1. Note on Vertical Velocity

The given horizontal velocity ($V = 5 , \text{m/s}$) does not affect the vertical acceleration under gravity; hence, we focus only on the vertical component.

The vertical acceleration due to gravity is $9.8 , \text{m/s}^2$.

More Information

The acceleration due to gravity is a fundamental concept in physics, applicable to all objects in free fall near the Earth's surface. It is a constant that influences how quickly an object accelerates downwards.

Tips

  • Confusing vertical acceleration with horizontal velocity. The two components are independent; the vertical acceleration is always $9.8 , \text{m/s}^2$ regardless of horizontal motion.
  • Misunderstanding that the height from which an object falls does not affect the acceleration.

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