Falling Balls

Question 1

Why does a dropped ball fall downward?

Answer 1

Earth’s gravity exerts a force on the ball. The force is the ball’s weight. The weight points toward’s Earth’s center. Its weight causes the falling ball to accelerate downward-toward Earth’s center.

Question 2

Do different balls fall at different rates?

Answer 2

No, they all fall together.

Question 3

Would a ball fall differently on the moon?

Answer 3

Yes, a moons acceleration due to gravity is 1.6 m/s2

Question 4

Can a ball move upwards and still be falling?

Answer 4

Yes, a falling ball experiences only its weight. If the only force acting on an object is gravity then it is falling, no matter what way it is moving.

Question 5

Does a ball’s horizontal motion affect its fall?

Answer 5

No. Ball falls vertically but coasts horizontally.

Question 6

Weight of an object

Answer 6

Depends on the pull of other masses. Weight is different on different planets.

Question 7

Mass of an object

Answer 7

Is the same everywhere

Question 8

Inertia

Answer 8

The resistance to a change in motion a measure of how difficult it is to start or stop or change the motion of an object.