Physics Review Question
Unit: Mechanics
Year: 1992 Question#: 9
Question: Which graph best represents the relationship
between mass and acceleration due to gravity for objects near the surface
of the earth? [Neglect air resistance]
(1 )  |
(2 )  |
(3 )  |
(4 )  |
What is this question really asking?
Explanation by: Jennifer I
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Answer 1
INCORRECT. All objects fall to earth at the same rate, graph #1 shows the acceleration of objects with greater mass being higher.
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Answer 2
INCORRECT
Objects with greater mass do not demonstrate less acceleration due to gravity. Acceleration for objects near the eath's surface is always 9.8m/s2 down return to top
Answer 3
INCORRECT
All objects have an acceleration of 9.8m/s2 down when dropped near the earth's surface. The value is not determined by the mass of the object. A graph such as graph #3 would occur if air friction was a part of the question.
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Answer 4
CORRECT
The acceleration of all falling objects on earth is 9.8m/s2 down, a constant value as shown in a flat graph. return to top
What's this question really asking?
Ignoring air friction, how are mass and acceleration of falling objects related?
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