An object is described as being in free fall. What does this mean?
AIt is falling downward at a constant velocity
BIt is falling without air resistance or friction
CIt is falling with air resistance balancing gravity
DIt is falling only after it has been thrown down
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. It is falling without air resistance or friction
1. Free fall is defined as falling without air resistance or friction.
2. The only influence left is gravity, so the acceleration is constant at 9.80 m/s^2 on Earth.
3. Constant acceleration means the velocity keeps changing, so a constant velocity is wrong.
4. Free fall applies to upward motion as well, so it is not limited to objects thrown down.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 2 "Kinematics", section 2.7 Falling Objects_
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