Question

Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions.

We know that the force of gravity due to the earth acts on each and every object. When we were holding the stone in our hand, the stone was experiencing this force, but it was balanced by a force that we were applying on it in the opposite direction. As a result, the stone remained at rest. Once we release the stone from our hands, the only force that acts on it is the gravitational force of the earth and the stone falls down under its influence. Whenever an object moves under the influence of the force of gravity alone, it is said to be falling freely. Thus the released stone is in a free fall. In free fall, the initial velocity of the object is zero and goes on increasing due to the acceleration due to the gravity of the earth. During free fall, the frictional force due to air opposes the motion of the object and a buoyant force also acts on the object. Thus, true free fall is possible only in a vacuum.

1. Complete the following statement by choosing the right option.
   The stone held in the hand is stable because on it ......
   1. two unbalanced forces are exerted.
   2. only the gravitational force of the earth is exerted.
   3. gravitational force of the earth is not exerted.
   4. two balanced forces are exerted.
2. Why does free fall not happen on the earth?
3. Why does the velocity of the object increase during the free fall?
4. Which type of force exerts on the object during free fall?
5. Why does free fall happen only in a vacuum?

Answer 1

1. The stone held in the hand is stable because on it two balanced forces are exerted.
2. At the time of free fall on the earth, in addition to gravitational force, the object experiences the force of friction due to air. Thus, the free fall cannot happen on the earth.
3. The velocity of the object increases due to acceleration due to the gravity of the earth.
4. During free fall, only gravitational force is exerted on the object.
5. Object experiences free fall when the only force acting on the object is a gravitational force. During free fall in air, the frictional force due to air opposes the motion of the object, and a buoyant force also acts on the object. Thus, true free fall is possible only in a vacuum.