Show mathematically that the acceleration experienced by an object during free fall is independent of the mass of the object.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Let us consider an object of mass $m$ near the surface of a planet of mass $M$ and radius $R.$
According to the universal law of gravitation,the gravitational force $F$ acting on the object is given by:
$F = \frac{GMm}{R^2} \dots (1)$
According to Newton's second law of motion,the force $F$ acting on an object of mass $m$ is:
$F = mg \dots (2)$
(where $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity).
By equating equations $(1)$ and $(2)$,we get:
$mg = \frac{GMm}{R^2}$
Dividing both sides by $m$,we obtain:
$g = \frac{GM}{R^2}$
Since the mass of the object $m$ cancels out,the acceleration due to gravity $g$ depends only on the mass of the planet $M$ and its radius $R$. Thus,the acceleration experienced by an object during free fall is independent of its mass.

Explore More

Similar Questions

The mass of a girl is $50\, kg$. What will be her approximate weight on the Earth? How will her mass and weight change on the surface of the Moon?

State whether the following statement is True or False:
The acceleration due to gravity $g$ is given by the formula $g = GM/R^2$,where symbols have their usual meanings.

Why is the value of $g$ greater at the poles than at the equator?

State the source of centripetal force that our earth requires to revolve around the sun. List the factors on which this force depends.

The gravitational force between objects is $100 \, N$. How should the distance between these objects be changed so that the force between them becomes $50 \, N$?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo