The speed at which we fall isn't constant; it increases over time due to gravity.
Understanding Falling Speed
Here's a breakdown of how fast we fall, based on the reference provided:
-
Initial Acceleration: The Earth's gravity causes a constant acceleration of 9.81 meters per second squared (m/s²). This means that every second, an object's downward velocity increases by 9.81 m/s.
-
Increasing Speed: Without air resistance (also called "drag"), the speed increases steadily.
- After 1 second: You would be falling at 9.81 m/s.
- After 2 seconds: You would be falling at 19.62 m/s (9.81 m/s + 9.81 m/s).
- After 3 seconds: You would be falling at 29.43 m/s (19.62 m/s + 9.81 m/s), and so on.
The Impact of Air Resistance (Drag)
While gravity provides a constant acceleration, the opposing force of the atmosphere, known as drag, influences how fast an object will actually fall. This explains why a feather and a bowling ball don't fall at the same rate in real-world conditions. Drag acts as a resistance to the falling object and eventually counteracts the effects of gravity, preventing further acceleration.
Terminal Velocity
Because of air resistance, most objects reach what is known as terminal velocity. This is the maximum speed an object can reach while falling.
Summary:
Time (Seconds) | Speed Without Air Resistance (m/s) |
---|---|
1 | 9.81 |
2 | 19.62 |
3 | 29.43 |
4 | 39.24 |
It's important to note these calculations assume a vacuum environment. In reality, air resistance plays a significant role.