Free Fall Motion - The Basics
The Describing Free Fall Video Tutorial defines free fall and describes the changes (or lack of changes) in the position, velocity, and acceleration over the course of a free fall motion. Numerical data, dot diagrams, vector diagrams, and velocity-time graphs are presented for both falling and up-and-down motion. The video emphasizes the meaning of the free fall acceleration.
The video lesson answers the following questions:
- How do you use the four kinematic equations to analyze the free fall motion of objects?
Video
You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).
To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:
Additional and Related Learning Tools
The Calculator Pad: 1D Kinematics, Chapter, Q#25-28
When it comes to problem-solving at The Physics Classroom, the go-to resource is The Calculator Pad. You will find a collection of problems of varying difficulty with answers and audio-guided solutions.
Concept Builder: Free Fall
We think a Concept Builder is among the best ways to strengthen what you've learned in a Video Tutorial. Try this one to see if you understand the kinematics descriptions of a free-falling object.
Concept Builder: Up and Down
This Concept Builder will strengthen your ability to compare the velocities and accelerations for various locations in an up-and-down free fall motion.
The Physics Classroom Tutorial: 1D Kinematics, Lesson 6
Our Tutorial provides a detailed discussion of physics concepts. Lesson 6 of the Kinematics chapter includes 5 pages. One of those pages deals exclusively with the use of kinematic equations to solve free fall problems.
Teacher Resources
Teacher Toolkits: Free Fall
Looking for standards-based, multimedia-driven resources on the topic of free fall? Try a Teacher Toolkit. We assigned the best Physics librarian the task of finding the best resources for various topics and the result is the Teacher Toolkits section. Try one today and maybe start with the one on free fall.
Curriculum Corner: 1D Kinematics
The Think Sheets at our Curriculum Corner have so many different uses. But we think the best use is the in-the-classroom use as a follow up to instruction like the instruction in this video. Among the many topics in the Kinematics section, you will find one titled Free Fall. Just what you need as a follow-up to our Video Tutorial.
The Calculator Pad: 1D Kinematics, Chapter, Q#25-28
When it comes to problem-solving at The Physics Classroom, the go-to resource is The Calculator Pad. You will find a collection of problems of varying difficulty with answers and audio-guided solutions.
Concept Builder: Free Fall
Both teachers and students love Concept Builders! They're great ways to build conceptual understanding and to reinforce skills. We have two on the topic of free fall. This particular one focuses on falling motion (as opposed to an up-and-down motion).
Concept Builder: Up and Down
This is our second Concept Builder on the topic of free fall motion. This one focuses on up-and-down motion.
The Physics Classroom Tutorial: 1D Kinematics, Lesson 5
If your students need a reliable and readable reference to physics topics, try our Tutorial. It has a long-standing reputation as a bebeficial source of information. Many teachers link to it from their course page.
The Physics Classroom Tutorial: 1D Kinematics, Lesson 6
Our Tutorial provides a detailed discussion of physics concepts. Lesson 6 of the Kinematics chapter includes 5 pages. One of those pages deals exclusively with the use of kinematic equations to solve free fall problems.
Lesson Notes
Download (opens in a new tab) or view below
Slides
Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.