Mass and kinematics -- motion of objects in a gravitational field

In summary, the mass of an object does not affect its motion in free fall, as it will always accelerate at a constant rate due to gravity. However, the mass of the gravity source does affect the free fall motion.
  • #1
mthudaa
does mass affect the motion of the vertical upward, vertical motion down, free fall motion, and parabolic motion?
 
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  • #2
What do you expect?

In free fall (no drag or other forces apart from gravity), everything accelerates with the gravitational acceleration g. It doesn't depend on the mass.
 
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  • #3
mthudaa said:
does mass affect the motion of the vertical upward, vertical motion down, free fall motion, and parabolic motion?

It depends. For the mass of the falling object in a constant gravitational field see mfb's post above. But that's not the only possible answer. The mass of the gravity source obviously affects the free fall motion.
 

Related to Mass and kinematics -- motion of objects in a gravitational field

1. What is mass and how does it affect motion in a gravitational field?

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. It determines the strength of an object's gravitational pull and affects its motion in a gravitational field. The larger the mass, the greater the gravitational force and the slower the acceleration.

2. How is mass different from weight?

Mass and weight are often used interchangeably, but they are actually two different concepts. Mass is a measurement of the amount of matter in an object, while weight is a measurement of the force of gravity on an object. Mass remains the same regardless of the location, while weight can change depending on the strength of the gravitational field.

3. How does the mass of an object affect its trajectory?

The mass of an object affects its trajectory by determining the strength of its gravitational force. Objects with larger masses have a stronger gravitational pull and thus follow a more curved trajectory, while objects with smaller masses have a weaker gravitational pull and follow a flatter trajectory.

4. How does the distance between two objects affect their gravitational force?

The distance between two objects directly affects their gravitational force. The force of gravity decreases as the distance between objects increases. The closer two objects are, the stronger the gravitational force between them, and vice versa.

5. What is the role of kinematics in understanding the motion of objects in a gravitational field?

Kinematics is the study of motion without considering the forces that cause it. In the context of motion in a gravitational field, kinematics helps us understand the trajectory, velocity, and acceleration of objects under the influence of gravity. It allows us to analyze and predict the motion of objects in a gravitational field using mathematical equations and principles.

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