Comparing Gravities
Comparing Gravities
A dropped object hits the ground after $$n$$ seconds. The expression $$\frac{1}{2}a(t + n)(t - n)$$ represents the height (in meters) of the object $$t$$ seconds after it is dropped.
- Write the expression as a polynomial in standard form and explain the meaning of each term.
- Predict the initial height of an object that takes 0.5 second to hit the ground on Earth. Perform an experiment to check your answer.
- Create a display that compares the initial height of an object that hits the ground after 1 second on each planet.
Did You Know?
- You exert the same gravitational pull on the Earth that it does on you. However, your pull doesn't affect Earth because you are so much smaller than Earth.
- The gravitational pull of the moon on seawater causes the ocean tides.
- A planet does not orbit the center of a star. The planet and star actually orbit their center of mass called the barycenter.
Find Out More – Search Topics
- Gravity
- Barycenter