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Key Concepts:
- Motion under gravity
- Problems based on the motion under gravity
- The graphical presentation of motion under gravity
Introduction:
The acceleration due to gravity ’g’ remains constant near the surface of the earth. So, all the practical examples of objects executing vertical motion under gravity can be taken as one-dimensional motion with constant acceleration. We can study motion under gravity using the kinematic equations.
We will study the two cases of motion under gravity.
Case 1: An object is released downward
Case 2: An object is thrown upward
Explanation:
Case 1: An object released downward

We know that the three kinematic equations to use when an object executes uniformly accelerated motion are:
v = u + at
s = ut +𝟏/𝟐 at2
v2 – u2 = 2as
For an object falling under gravity, acceleration = a = g,
Height = s = h
so the equations become:
v = u + gt
h = ut +𝟏/𝟐 gt2
v2 – u2 = 2gh
Suppose the object is released from rest, then the initial velocity = u = 0.
v = gt
h = 𝟏/𝟐gt2
v2 = 2gh
Suppose the object is released from rest, then the initial velocity = u = 0.
v = gt
h = 𝟏/𝟐gt2
v2 = 2gh
If the total time to reach the ground = t = T
h = 𝟏/𝟐 gt2
Total time = T = √𝟐𝒈𝒉
Maximum speed with which it will reach the ground = vmaximum
v2 = 2gh ⟹ vmaximum = √𝟐𝒈𝒉
Problem 1: Two balls of masses 50gm and 100gm are dropped from the same height of 80m, find the time taken by the balls to reach the ground. (Ignore air resistance and take g = 10 m/s2).
Solution:
Since the equations of motion under gravity are independent of the mass of the object, the time taken by the ball to reach the ground will be the same and that is given by the equation:
T = √2h/g
=√2×80/10 = 4 sec
Thus, both the 50gm and 100gm balls will reach the ground after 4 seconds.
Case 2: An object thrown upward
We know that the three kinematic equations to use when an object executes uniformly accelerated motion are:

v = u + at
s = ut + 𝟏/𝟐 at2
v2 = u2 + 2as
For an object moving against gravity, acceleration = a = – g,
Height = s = h
So, the equations become:
v = u – gt
h = ut – 𝟏/𝟐 gt2
v2 = u2 – 2gh
When a ball is thrown upwards with velocity u, it moves against gravity. Gradually its velocity decreases and after reaching a certain height its velocity becomes zero.

Initial velocity = u
At the maximum height attained h = H
Final velocity = v = 0
Time of ascent = ta
v = u + gt
0 = u – gta
Time of ascent = ta = u/g
Also, v2 – u2 = 2as
0 – u2 = –2gH
u = √2gH
Thus, time of ascent = ta = √2gH/g
Time of ascent = ta = √2H/g
When the ball falls, initial velocity = u = 0 and a = g
Time of descent = t = td
v = u + gtd
v = gtd
H = 1/2gtd2
td = √2H/g
Thus, we see that
Time of ascent = Time of descent
ta = td = √𝟐𝑯𝒈
Problem-2: A ball is thrown up with a speed of 40 m/s. Calculate the time of ascent and the maximum height it reaches. (Ignore air resistance and take g = 10 m/s2).
Solution:
Initial velocity = u = 40m/s
At the maximum height attained h = H
Final velocity = v = 0
Time of ascent = ta
v = u + gt
0 = u – gta
Time of ascent = ta = u/g = 40/10 = 4 s
Also, v2 – u2 = 2as
0 – u2 = –2gH
–402 = –2 × 10 × H
1600 = 20H
H = 80m, the ball will reach the maximum height of 80m.
Graphical presentation of motion under gravity:
Case 1: Graphs for a body released downward:
Here, the graphs show the motion of a ball influenced by gravity alone. The ball is released from a height of 20 meters above the ground. The position is marked at 0.5 s intervals, the ball’s position, velocity, and acceleration are shown as a function of time.
Table 1: For a body released downwards


Case 2: Graphs for a body thrown upwards:
Here the graphs show the motion of a ball influenced by gravity alone. The ball is launched straight up from the ground with an initial speed of 20m/s. The position is marked at 0.5 s intervals, the ball’s position, velocity, and acceleration are shown as a function of time.

Table 2: For a body thrown upwards

Numerical 1: A ball of mass 200gm is thrown vertically up from the ground. It reaches a maximum height of 20m in 10s. Find the initial velocity of the ball.
- 20m/s
- 10 m/s
- 15 m/s
- 12 m/s
The initial velocity of the ball = u
Final velocity of the ball = v = 0 m/s
Acceleration of the ball = a = g = –10 m/s2 (negative sign because it is moving against gravity)
Maximum height attended = h = 20m
Using equation v2 – u2 = 2gh
0 – u2 = 2 × (–10) × 20
–u2 = –400
u = 20 m/s
Thus, the initial velocity of the ball = 20 m/s
Numerical 2: A ball is thrown vertically down. Find the time taken by the ball to reach the ground from a height of 500m.
- 20s
- 10s
- 5s
- 5s
When an object is just released from a certain height the initial velocity of the object = u = 0
The final velocity of the stone = v
Acceleration of the stone = a = g = 10 m/s2 (positive sign because it is moving in the direction of gravity)
Height = h = 500m
Using equation h = ut + ½ gt2
500 = 0 × t + ½ × 10 × t2
500 = 0 + 5t2
100 = t2
Time = t = 10 m/s
Summary:
- The acceleration due to gravity ‘g’ remains constant near the surface of the earth. So, all the practical examples of objects executing vertical motion under gravity can be taken as one-dimensional motion with constant acceleration.
- For an object to fall under gravity:
Acceleration = a = g, Height = s = h, initial velocity =u = 0
v = gt, h = gt2, v = 2gh2
- If the total time to reach the ground = t = T
h = 1/2gt2
- For an object moving against gravity
Acceleration = a = -g, Height = s = h
so the equations become:
v= u – gt
h = ut – 1/2gt2
v2= u2-2gh
Time of ascent = Time of descent
ta = td = √2H/g, Total time = T = √2gh
Maximum speed with which it will reach the ground = vmaximum
v2 = 2gh = v maximum = √2gh
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