1. What is Free Fall Time?

Free fall time is the duration an object takes to reach the ground when dropped from a certain height under the influence of gravity alone, neglecting air resistance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the free fall time equation:

Where:

• \( t \) — Time of fall (seconds)
• \( h \) — Height (meters)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (m/s², typically 9.8 on Earth)

Explanation: The equation derives from kinematic equations of motion, assuming initial velocity is zero and air resistance is negligible.

3. Importance of Free Fall Calculation

Details: Calculating free fall time is essential in physics, engineering, and safety planning. It helps predict impact times for dropped objects, design safety systems, and understand motion under gravity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height in meters and gravity in m/s² (9.8 m/s² for Earth). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this equation account for air resistance?
A: No, this is the idealized equation for free fall in a vacuum. In reality, air resistance affects falling objects, especially at higher velocities.

Q2: What's the free fall time from 100 meters on Earth?
A: About 4.52 seconds (using g=9.8 m/s²).

Q3: How does gravity affect fall time?
A: Higher gravity decreases fall time (objects fall faster), while lower gravity increases fall time.

Q4: Can I use this for objects thrown upward?
A: No, this only applies to objects dropped from rest. For thrown objects, you need more complex equations.

Q5: What's the terminal velocity in real-world conditions?
A: For a human skydiver, it's about 53 m/s (190 km/h or 120 mph) in belly-to-earth position.