2. A LEVEL PHYSICS Year 1 Free fall and SUVAT A* A B C
B/C Target
A/A* Target EP
AEP C B A A*
I can describe how the velocity of an object in free fall changes as it falls (grade d)
I can mathematically show that two objects of different mass fall at the same rate (grade c)
I can use SUVAT equations to calculate the parameters of falling objects (grade b)

3. Galileo Galilei
When dropped from the same height which object hits the ground first?

5. Falling Objects
Any two objects accelerate at the same rate due to the force of gravity
Constant Gravitational force = constant acceleration
Mass has no effect
Surface area increases drag (air resistance)

6. Freefalling Plot a graph of s against t2:
Considering s=ut + 1/2at2 calculate the acceleration due to gravity. (Hint: compare it to y=mx+c)
No. of flashes 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Time /s
0.06
0.10
0.13
0.16
0.19
0.23
0.26
0.29
Distance fallen/ m
0.02
0.04
0.07
0.12
0.17
0.24
0.33
0.42

7. Proving it mathematically
Use the equation below to prove that two objects will hit the earth at the same point:
s = ut + ½ at2

8. Quick Questions
A pebble released from rest on a bridge hit the water below 0.9s later. Calculate the distance it fell and its speed upon hitting the water.
A spanner was dropped from a hot air balloon when the balloon was at rest 50m above the ground. Calculate the time take and the velocity.
A bungee jumper jumped off a platform 75m above a lake. Releasing a small object the instant she left the platform.
Calculate the time taken by the object to fall and the speed (assume air resistance is negligible).
Describe how long the bungee jumper would take to descend relative to the object. Explain why.
An astronaut on the moon threw an object 4.0m vertically upwards and caught it 4.5 seconds later.
Calculate g on the moon and the speed of projection of the object.
How high would the object have risen on earth from the same projection?

9. Quick Answers 4.0m, 8.8m/s 3.2s, 31m/s 3.9s, 38m/s
1.6m/s, 3.6m/s, 0.64m