Free Fall

Start with the conditions for free fall

The mind map Physics: Free fall is a useful starting point. It describes free fall as motion where gravitational pull is the only force acting on an object, and refers to a vacuum where there is no air resistance. Use it to identify the conditions described in the map before moving on to acceleration.

The map titled Free Fall also describes free fall as a special case of motion with constant acceleration. As several maps share that title, check the contents of each one to find the approach you want.

Move from acceleration to motion

Acceleration and accelerated motion covers changes in velocity over time and refers to velocity-time graphs. Study it alongside a free-fall map to connect the description of acceleration with the way motion is represented on a graph.

Freely falling bodies presents equations for velocity and position. Start by identifying the quantities in the equations, then compare them with the descriptions of vertical motion in the other maps. The map on free fall and vectors also discusses how position and velocity change differently.

Use the maps together

Free Fall is a section of Motion and Kinematics in Physics. The maps give you different ways to study that section: conditions for free fall, acceleration, graphs and equations. School students can compare the maps while studying a topic, and teachers can use them to find material for a lesson.

There are no quizzes listed on this page. A free account lets you make your own quiz, so you can turn points from a map into questions and return to the map to check them. Choose a map and begin with the ideas you want to study.