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Yes and No. Dropping an object and timing the rate of free fall will determine the acceleration of gravity (feet/second) or (how many feet/meters did it fall divided by how many seconds it took to make the trip). The measurement will vary based on measurment accuracy and the location of the test based on elevation. The higher the elevation on the planet less the pull of gravity. If you drop a feather, the rate of free fall is obscured by the air resistance. Dropping a heavier aerodynamic object would be better. But if you had to use a feather, then you'd had to measure the drag coefficient of the feather first and apply that to the calculation. The best example is if you dropped a 1 pound steel ball off the Empire State Building at the same time as a 1,000 pound steel ball, they would land at the exact same time (assuming that sir resistance was zero). Counter intuitive I know but none the less true. Basically the force of gravity acts equally on the two objects without respect to their weight.

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Related Questions

Can you determine the acceleration due to gravity by a feather?

Unless you drop the feather in a vacuum, air resistance will be significant, so any acceleration (change in velocity) will not be due solely to gravity.


Does mass determine the acceleration due to gravity?

The acceleration due to Gravity is constant at 32 feet per second per second, if you dropped a feather and a cannon ball in a vacuum they would fall at the same rate and hit the floor at he same time.


How does force act upon a falling feather?

As a feather falls, the force of gravity acts upon it pulling it downwards towards the ground. Additionally, air resistance creates an upward force that slows the feather's descent. The net force between gravity and air resistance determines the feather's acceleration and speed as it falls.


How can one determine the acceleration down a ramp?

To determine the acceleration down a ramp, you can use the formula: acceleration (sin ) g, where is the angle of the ramp and g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s2). This formula takes into account the angle of the ramp and the force of gravity acting on the object.


Why do a coin and feather in a vacuum tube fall with the same acceleration?

Because the acceleration gravity on Earth is constant, 9.86 m/sec^2.


Why do a coin and a feather in a vaccum tube fall with the same acceleration?

There IS gravity in a vacuum first of all. The gravity accelerates both the penny and the feather at the same rate, about 9.81 meters per second. And since there is no air, there are no frictional forces acting on them, which normally make the feather move slower. So they go at the same speed! Hope this helps!


What is the effect of mass of freely falling body on the gravitational acceleration?

No effect whatsoever. Without air to interfere with the effects of gravity, a small feather and a large rock fall with the same acceleration.


What is the significance of the simple pendulum?

The simple pendulum can be used to determine the acceleration due to gravity.


When is meant by accleration due to gravity?

Dropping a stone from a tall building is an example of acceleration due to gravity. The stone's speed will increase as it falls until it reaches terminal velocity.


How can you calculate acceleration of gravity with Atwood Machine?

The acceleration of gravity can be calculated using an Atwood machine by measuring the acceleration of the system as the masses move and applying Newton's second law of motion. By knowing the masses of the objects and the tension in the rope, one can determine the acceleration due to gravity.


How does the acceleration of gravity compare between objects?

Acceleration due to gravity is the same for EVERY object on the earth, at the same altitude. The only thing that differs is the effect other forces have on it. For instance, in a vacuum, a feather and a bowling ball will both fall at the same rate. However, in normal air, the feather will be impeded by air resistance, so will fall slower.


How acceleration effect gravity?

Acceleration does not effect gravity. It is rather the other way round. Gravity can affect the rate of acceleration.