Question

If an object falling freely were somehow equipped with an odometer to measure the distance it travels, then the amount of distance it travels each succeeding second would be:_________
a) constant.
b) less and less each second.
c) greater than the second before

Answer 1

Answer:c

Explanation:

Given

object is falling Freely with an odometer

Suppose it falls with zero initial velocity

so distance fallen in time t is given by

$h=ut+\frac{1}{2}gt^2$

here u=0 and t=time taken

$h=\frac{1}{2}gt^2$

for $t=1 s$

$h_1=\frac{1}{2}g$

for $t=2 s$

$h_2=\frac{1}{2}g(2)^2=\frac{4}{2}g=2g$

distance traveled in 2 nd sec$=2g-\frac{1}{2}g=\frac{3}{2}g$

for $t=3 s$

$h_3=\frac{1}{2}g(3)^2=\frac{9}{2}g$

distance traveled in 3 rd sec$=\frac{9}{2}g-2g=\frac{5}{2}g$

so we can see that distance traveled in each successive second is increasing