What happens to an object in free fall?

Answer 1

Answer: Like any object in motion, it remains in constant motion until acted on by an external force. Answer: Using Wikipedia's definition: "Free fall is motion with no acceleration other than that provided by gravity. Since this definition does not specify velocity, it also applies to objects initially moving upward. Although the definition specifically excludes all other forces such as aerodynamic drag, in nontechnical usage falling through an atmosphere is also referred to as free fall." What this means is when you release an object from a height it accelerates (moves faster and faster) towards the Earth. The speed increases at roughly 32f t/sec2. Under ideal conditions this increase in speed increases until the object strikes the surface of the Earth. In real conditions the object will reach a terminal velocity depending on air density, its own geometry and weight. (e.g. A parachutist is in true free fall until his chute opens, he is then in nontechnical free fall with a lower terminal velocity)