Free Fall Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the free fall calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

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Formulas Used

Distance Fallen

distance = 0.5 * gravity * pow(time, 2)

Final Velocity

final_velocity = gravity * time

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
gravityGravitational Acceleration(m/s²)9.81
timeTime of Fall(s)3

How It Works

Free Fall Under Gravity

An object released from rest near Earth's surface accelerates uniformly downward.

Formulas

d = (1/2) * g * t²

v_f = g * t

These assume no air resistance and zero initial velocity.

Worked Example

A stone is dropped from a tall building and falls for 3 seconds.

gravity = 9.81time = 3
  1. 01d = 0.5 * g * t²
  2. 02d = 0.5 * 9.81 * 9
  3. 03d = 44.145 m
  4. 04v_f = g * t = 9.81 * 3 = 29.43 m/s

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