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If density or mass does affect acceleration, then how can they conclude that every object accelerates at 9.8 m/s^2 on earth.

2007-11-22 14:23:21 · 6 answers · asked by Dream.Big 4 in Science & Mathematics Physics

6 answers

Normally mass of an object does affect acceleration...that's Newton's law ...the force F required is given by...

F= ma...where m is the mass of the object; a is accel.

In other words a greater mass requires a greater force F to accelerate to the same rate.

However, in gravity, the force equation for gravity is....

F = GmM/r^2...where M is mass of earth and little m is the mass of the object , G is the gravitational constant; and r is the distance to center of earth.

Since the gravitational force must be equal to the force on an object we set the first equation equal to the second since F = F.

So ...
ma = GmM/r^2
and m cancels from both sides...and we get...

a = GM/r^2....
.....so acceleration depends ONLY on the mass of earth, M.

2007-11-22 14:53:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3 0

If you are referring to the gravitational acceleration, realize that air resistance isn't taken into account in most simple physics calculations. Naturally, air resistance would cause a less dense object (like a styrofoam cup) to fall more slowly. The gravitational acceleration is the same, but the air resistance creates an opposing force acting on the object.

2007-11-22 14:36:37 · answer #2 · answered by Judi L 6 · 1 0

Simply put:
Your error is in thinking that the gravitational
FORCE is equal. - It is not.
Gravity acts on mass, so each mass will experience
a force, proportional to its mass, that will produce
the same ACCELERATION.
(Force is equal to the sum of the masses,
x the Gravitational Constant,/ distance^2.)

2007-11-22 14:51:10 · answer #3 · answered by Irv S 7 · 3 0

density and mass is related to viscousity and friction force hence is affect acceleration depend on initial velocity.

2007-11-22 14:43:28 · answer #4 · answered by Faisal R 3 · 0 0

Density or mass do not affect acceleration..

2007-11-22 14:28:39 · answer #5 · answered by Tros 2 · 0 2

on earth the place there is air resistance, particular, yet in outer area, no. In area, it certainly relies upon on the mass of the article, no be counted what the quantity.* do no longer hear to the guy under me. He misunderstood, or he's in basic terms ignorant in this section. *Exception: photon bombardment, yet this is a various tale.

2016-10-17 21:04:50 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

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