A feather, initially at rest, is released in a vacuum 12 m above the surface of the Earth. Which of the following statements is correct?Group of answer choicesThe acceleration of the feather is zeroThe acceleration of the feather increases during the fallThe acceleration of the feather remains constant during the fallThe maximum velocity of the feather is 9.8 m/sThe acceleration of the feather decreases until terminal velocity is reached
Question
A feather, initially at rest, is released in a vacuum 12 m above the surface of the Earth. Which of the following statements is correct?Group of answer choicesThe acceleration of the feather is zeroThe acceleration of the feather increases during the fallThe acceleration of the feather remains constant during the fallThe maximum velocity of the feather is 9.8 m/sThe acceleration of the feather decreases until terminal velocity is reached
Solution
The correct statement is: The acceleration of the feather remains constant during the fall.
Here's why:
In a vacuum, there is no air resistance to slow down the feather. Therefore, the only force acting on the feather is gravity. The acceleration due to gravity near the surface of the Earth is approximately 9.8 m/s². This means that every second the feather falls, its speed increases by 9.8 m/s. This acceleration remains constant throughout the fall, regardless of the feather's velocity.
The other statements are incorrect:
- The acceleration of the feather is not zero, it's 9.8 m/s² due to gravity.
- The acceleration does not increase during the fall, it remains constant at 9.8 m/s².
- The maximum velocity of the feather is not limited to 9.8 m/s. It will continue to increase as long as the feather is falling.
- The concept of terminal velocity applies when there is air resistance, which is not the case here as the feather is falling in a vacuum.
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