Free Fall Calculator - Gravity Motion

This physics calculator helps you calculate free fall motion parameters including fall time, impact velocity, and kinetic energy. Free fall is motion under the influence of gravity only.

Free Fall Definition

• Free Fall: Motion under gravity only (no air resistance)
• Assumptions: No air resistance, constant gravity
• Initial Velocity: v₀ = 0 (dropped from rest)
• Acceleration: a = g (constant downward acceleration)

Free Fall Equations

• Position: h = h₀ - ½gt²
• Velocity: v = -gt
• Time to Fall: t = √(2h₀/g)
• Impact Velocity: v = √(2gh₀)
• Kinetic Energy: KE = ½mv² = mgh₀

Applications

• Physics Education: Motion analysis and problem solving
• Engineering: Drop testing and impact analysis
• Sports: Diving and skydiving calculations
• Safety: Fall protection and accident analysis
• Construction: Dropped object hazards
• Astronomy: Celestial object motion

Important Notes

• Free fall assumes no air resistance
• All objects fall at same rate (Galileo's principle)
• Time depends only on height and gravity
• Impact velocity increases with height
• Kinetic energy increases with height

Gravity Values

• Earth: g = 9.81 m/s² (standard)
• Moon: g = 1.62 m/s² (1/6 of Earth's)
• Mars: g = 3.71 m/s² (about 1/3 of Earth's)
• Jupiter: g = 24.79 m/s² (about 2.5× Earth's)
• Altitude Effect: g decreases with height above Earth

Real-World Considerations

• Air Resistance: Reduces fall speed (terminal velocity)
• Shape Effects: Different objects have different drag
• Altitude: Changes air density and gravity
• Rotation: Coriolis effect on long falls
• Wind: Affects horizontal motion

Safety Considerations

• Impact Energy: Increases with height squared
• Fall Protection: Required for heights above 6 feet
• Drop Zones: Clear areas for falling objects
• Equipment: Proper safety gear for high falls

Free Fall Examples

• Penny Drop: ~0.45 s from 1 meter
• Building Drop: ~4.5 s from 100 meters
• Skydiving: Terminal velocity ~53 m/s
• Space Drop: Orbital velocity ~7,800 m/s

Terminal Velocity

• Definition: Maximum speed in air resistance
• Human Skydiver: ~53 m/s (120 mph)
• Raindrop: ~9 m/s (20 mph)
• Baseball: ~40 m/s (90 mph)
• Factors: Mass, area, drag coefficient