Acceleration Due to Gravity

Definition

Acceleration due to gravity, often denoted as 'g', is the acceleration experienced by an object due to the Earth's gravitational pull. This constant acceleration affects the motion of objects near the Earth's surface, influencing various physical phenomena such as free fall, mass, weight, and gravitational fields.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The acceleration due to gravity, 'g', has a value of approximately 9.8 m/s^2 near the Earth's surface, which is the rate at which the velocity of a falling object increases over time.
2. The acceleration due to gravity is a constant, uniform acceleration that acts downward on all objects, regardless of their mass or composition, as long as air resistance is negligible.
3. The acceleration due to gravity is responsible for the weight of an object, which is the force exerted on the object by the Earth's gravitational pull.
4. The acceleration due to gravity plays a crucial role in the motion of objects in free fall, where the object experiences a constant downward acceleration equal to 'g'.
5. Bernoulli's principle, which describes the relationship between pressure, velocity, and elevation in fluid flow, is influenced by the acceleration due to gravity, as it affects the buoyant force on objects immersed in fluids.

Review Questions

• Explain how the acceleration due to gravity affects the motion of an object in free fall.
  • The acceleration due to gravity, 'g', is the constant downward acceleration experienced by an object in free fall, meaning an object falling under the sole influence of gravity with no other forces acting upon it. This acceleration causes the object's velocity to increase at a constant rate of 9.8 m/s^2 as it falls, resulting in the characteristic parabolic trajectory of a free-falling object.
• Describe the relationship between the acceleration due to gravity, mass, and weight of an object.
  • The acceleration due to gravity, 'g', is the primary factor that determines the weight of an object, which is the force exerted on the object by the Earth's gravitational pull. Weight is calculated as the product of an object's mass and the acceleration due to gravity. This means that the weight of an object will vary depending on the local value of 'g', which can change slightly based on factors like altitude and latitude, while the object's mass remains constant.
• Analyze how the acceleration due to gravity influences the behavior of fluids as described by Bernoulli's principle.
  • Bernoulli's principle states that as the speed of a fluid increases, the pressure within the fluid decreases. This relationship is affected by the acceleration due to gravity, 'g', which influences the buoyant force exerted on objects immersed in the fluid. The acceleration due to gravity determines the weight of the fluid column, which in turn affects the pressure distribution and flow patterns described by Bernoulli's principle. Understanding the role of 'g' is crucial for accurately predicting the behavior of fluids in various applications, such as aerodynamics and hydraulic systems.

Related terms

Free Fall: The motion of an object that is falling under the sole influence of gravity, experiencing a constant acceleration equal to the acceleration due to gravity.

Gravitational Force: The attractive force between two objects with mass, as described by Newton's law of universal gravitation, which is responsible for the acceleration due to gravity.

Buoyancy: The upward force exerted by a fluid on an object immersed in it, as described by Bernoulli's principle, which is affected by the acceleration due to gravity.