Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program
Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program
9th Edition
ISBN: 9780133647495
Author: Paul G. Hewitt
Publisher: Prentice Hall
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Chapter 6, Problem 44A

Aristotle claimed the speed of a falling object depends on its weight. We now know that objects in free fall, whatever their weights, gain speed at the same rate. Why does weight not affect acceleration?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
To determine

To Explain: The effects of acceleration on the weight of an object.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

When an object falls freely under the influence of gravity, it is called in the state of free fall. Freely falling objects accelerate towards the earth with constant gravitational acceleration. In the state of free fall, objects do not encounter with air resistance.

When an object falls free under the effect of gravity, the net force acting on it can be calculated from the Newton’s second law which can be written as follow:

  Fnet=ma

Where,

  m= Mass of free-falling object.

  a= Acceleration of the object.

Net force on free falling object is equal to its weight:

  Fnet=mg

Where,

  g= Acceleration due to gravity.

Therefore,

  mg=maa=g

Conclusion:

Hence, free fall of an object does not depend upon its mass which is the main reason that weight does not affect acceleration.

Chapter 6 Solutions

Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program

Ch. 6 - When do you produce more pressure on the ground,...Ch. 6 - Why is it important that many nails are in the...Ch. 6 - What is meant by freefall?Ch. 6 - The ratio of circumference/diameter for all...Ch. 6 - Why doesnt a heavy object accelerate more than a...Ch. 6 - Does air resistance on a falling object increase...Ch. 6 - If two objects of the same size fall through air...Ch. 6 - What is the acceleration of a falling object that...Ch. 6 - What, besides speed, affects the air resistance on...Ch. 6 - How much air resistance acts on a falling 100-N...Ch. 6 - Each diagram shows a ball traveling from left to...Ch. 6 - Boxes of various masses are on a friction-free...Ch. 6 - Each block on the friction-free lab bench is...Ch. 6 - Prob. 24ACh. 6 - Calculate the acceleration of a 40-kg crate of...Ch. 6 - Calculate the acceleration of a 2000-kg,...Ch. 6 - Calculate the acceleration of a 300,000-kg jumbo...Ch. 6 - Calculate the acceleration if you push with a 20-N...Ch. 6 - Calculate the horizontal force that must be...Ch. 6 - Calculate the horizontal force that must be...Ch. 6 - If you push horizontally on your book with a force...Ch. 6 - Terry says that if an object has no acceleration,...Ch. 6 - When a car is moving in reverse, backing from a...Ch. 6 - The auto in the sketch moves forward as the brakes...Ch. 6 - What is the difference between saying that one...Ch. 6 - What is the acceleration of a rock at the top of...Ch. 6 - When blocking in football, why does a defending...Ch. 6 - An aircraft gains speed during takeoff due to the...Ch. 6 - A rocket becomes progressively easier to...Ch. 6 - A common saying goes, 'Its not the fall that hurts...Ch. 6 - On which of these hills does the ball roll down...Ch. 6 - Why does a sharp knife cut better than a dull...Ch. 6 - When Helen lifts one foot and remains standing on...Ch. 6 - Aristotle claimed the speed of a falling object...Ch. 6 - After learning why objects of different mass have...Ch. 6 - In a vacuum, a coin and a feather fall side by...Ch. 6 - As a sky diver falls faster and faster through the...Ch. 6 - After she jumps, a sky diver reaches terminal...Ch. 6 - Can you think of a reason why the acceleration of...Ch. 6 - How does the weight of a falling body compare with...Ch. 6 - Why does a cat that falls from a 50-story building...Ch. 6 - A regular tennis ball and another one filled with...Ch. 6 - If you drop an object, its acceleration toward the...Ch. 6 - Suzy Skydiver, who has mass m, steps from the...Ch. 6 - What is the acceleration during takeoff of a jumbo...Ch. 6 - A net force on a 2-kg cart accelerates the cart at...Ch. 6 - A net force of 10.0 N is exerted by Irene on a...Ch. 6 - Toby Toobad, who has a mass of 100 kg, is...Ch. 6 - A net force of 10.0 N on a box of plastic foam...Ch. 6 - Austins truck has a mass of 2000 kg. When...Ch. 6 - If a loaded truck that can accelerate at 1m/s2...Ch. 6 - An occupant of a car can survive a crash if the...Ch. 6 - What is the pressure on a table when a 20-N book...Ch. 6 - A falling 50-kg parachutist experiences an upward...Ch. 6 - A 10-kg mass on a horizontal friction-free air...Ch. 6 - Suppose the masses described in problem 65 are 1...Ch. 6 - Skelly the skater is propelled by rocket power....Ch. 6 - Drop a sheet of paper and a coin at the same time....Ch. 6 - Glue a penny to a string. When in a moving...Ch. 6 - The net force acting on an object and the...Ch. 6 - Write a letter to a friend who has not yet studied...
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