Acceleration due to gravitational force I need some help with below. So according to Newton's 2nd

Aedan Tyler

Aedan Tyler

Answered question

2022-05-08

Acceleration due to gravitational force
I need some help with below. So according to Newton's 2nd law, a = F / m, for a given mass, the acceleration depends on mass.
But acceleration due to gravity is independent of mass. There seems some contradiction; I am sure I am missing something, but I can't pin-point what that is.

Answer & Explanation

Lankenp19hh

Lankenp19hh

Beginner2022-05-09Added 11 answers

Acceleration due to gravity remains roughly constant near the surface of the earth. Yes, a = F / M, but as mass increases, the force exerted by gravity increases too( F   α   m 1 m 2 r 2 ), keeping F / M or a roughly constant around the surface of the earth
Reese Estes

Reese Estes

Beginner2022-05-10Added 4 answers

Here's how to intuitively understand that a = g
Take a metal ball having mass 1kg and drop it. Its downward acceleration is 9.8 m / s 2 , right? Now take a second ball and drop it. Same thing, right? Now drop both at the same time. Same? Now connect them together (with a tiny drop of weld metal) into a single 2kg mass, and drop them. Do they suddenly slow down? Of course not.
Twice the mass means twice the force - same acceleration.

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