\[h = \frac{1}{2} g t^2\]
Variables
hfall distance (m)
ggravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²)
ttime of fall (s)
Description
What is this formula?
This equation calculates the vertical distance traveled by an object in free fall starting from rest, assuming constant gravitational acceleration and no air resistance.
When to use it
Use it when an object is dropped without initial velocity and gravity is the only significant force acting on it.
Example
If an object falls for 3 s on Earth:
h = 0.5 × 9.81 × 3² = 44.145 m
Applications
Physics education, drop tests, motion analysis, engineering estimates, safety calculations.