Free Falling

1) Simulate and plot a freefalling body(point mass) of mass 1 kg and inertial properties 1 kgm2 in the y-axis (gravity should be 9.81 m/s2 in the negative y-direction) (Use dimension of length in meters not mm)

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2) Does the mass and inertial properties of the body depend on the rate of fall? Justify your answer with analytical(with equation) and simulation results.

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No, mass and intertia does not depend on the rate of free fall because generally free fall occurs solely due to gravity. This can be understood from Newton's second law where,

F = ma.

a = F/m.

3) In what case will the mass have an effect on the rate of fall? In the same case what other physical characteristics will affect the rate of fall?

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We have seen that in vaccum the mass does not affect the the gravity on free falling body. However if we take air resistance into account, then drag comes into play.

W = constant = mg

Drag = (C_d *r*V²*A)/2

Therefore motion is given by,

F=m*a

a = F/m = (W - D)/m

As drag increases, rate of falling decreases. Drag is directly related to surface area of the object. More the surface area more is the drag and vice versa. Thus rate of falling depends on its mass, surface area and the acceleration due to gravity.