Encyclopedia >  Science and Technology  >  Physics  >  Physics

free fall

free fall, in physics, the state of a body moving solely under the influence of gravitational forces (see gravitation). A body falling freely toward the surface of the earth undergoes an acceleration due to gravity of 32 ft/sec2 (9.8 m/sec2), which is symbolized by g.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

More on free fall from Fact Monster:

  • Famous Firsts in Aviation - Famous Firsts in Aviation Cayley's Helicopter Wilbur and Orville Wright with their second ...
  • What does it mean? centrifugal - centrifugal -- Listen to the pronunciation: WAV format or AU format Which amusement park attraction ...
  • Isaac Beeckman - Beeckman, Isaac Beeckman, Isaac , 1588–1637, Dutch physicist. An early proponent of ...
  • Sir William (Gerald) Golding - Golding, Sir William (Gerald) Golding, Sir William (Gerald), 1911–93, English novelist. ...
  • skydiving - skydiving skydiving, sport of descending partly by parachute from an airplane or similar craft. ...

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Physics