Motion Under Gravity

Free fall and projection.

Concept

Motion Under Gravity is a foundational idea in this chapter. The defining relationship is:

$h = \tfrac{1}{2}gt^2$

g = 9.8 m/s² near Earth's surface; take + downward consistently.

Worked Application

Apply the formula to a typical problem from your textbook. Identify the knowns, plug into the equation, and check that the units work out. Always sanity-check the magnitude before accepting an answer.

Common Confusions

• Confusing the variables in the formula — re-read the symbol definitions in the chapter.
• Forgetting unit conversions (cm vs m, g vs kg).
• Ignoring sign conventions where direction matters.

Key Takeaways

• Master the formula $h = \tfrac{1}{2}gt^2$ and one canonical example.
• See the chapter index for full derivations, traps and exam-grade problems.