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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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16y ago
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13y ago

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.

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Q: Can you determine the acceleration DUE to gravity by dropping a feather why?
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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.


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.


What has more mass a coin or feather?

It depends on the coin and feather, but probably a coin. To figure it out, you can divide the weight of each (in Newtons) by 9.81 (acceleration due to gravity) to find the masses, since Mass=(Force)*(Acceleration).


Acceleration due to gravity by dropping?

The acceleration due to gravity is 9.8m/sec. Every second it increases by 9.8. Two objects regardless of their weight fall to the ground at the same time if you drop them simultaneously.


What is the significance of the simple pendulum?

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


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.


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.


What forces act upon a falling feather?

The obvious is gravity. Wind creates both lift and rotation, both of which create inertia. If the feather tilts, it will also be subject to acceleration and/or velocity loss.


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.


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!


How does Acceleration relate to gravity?

Not at all. However Gravity can impart an acceleration - Gravitational acceleration.