Free fall refers to the motion of an object under the influence of gravity alone, without any other forces

acting on it (like air resistance). The key free fall formulas are derived from kinematic equations for
uniformly accelerated motion, with acceleration due to gravity g (typically 9.8 m/s2 on Earth).

General Free Fall Equations

The general kinematic equations for motion under constant acceleration are:

𝑉𝑉 = 𝑉𝑉0 + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
1
𝑥𝑥 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑡𝑡 2
2
𝑉𝑉 2 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜2 + 2𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎

For Free Fall:

a. Acceleration is replaced by 𝑔𝑔, so 𝑎𝑎 = 𝑔𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠 2 .

b. The object is falling freely, meaning its initial velocity 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 may be zero (if dropped) or some given
value (if thrown downward or upward).
c. The displacement 𝑥𝑥 is typically measured from the starting point downward.

Using these, the Free Fall Formulas become:

1. Velocity after time 𝑡𝑡:

𝑉𝑉 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 + 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔

2. Displacement after time 𝑡𝑡:

1
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡 2
2
3. Velocity after falling a distance 𝑦𝑦:

𝑉𝑉 2 = 𝑉𝑉02 + 2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔

Derivations

Velocity after time 𝑡𝑡

From Newton’s Second Law, the acceleration due to gravity is constant:

𝑎𝑎 = 𝑔𝑔

Using the definition of acceleration:

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑎𝑎 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Integrating both sides:

� 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = � 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
𝑉𝑉 = 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 + 𝐶𝐶
When 𝑡𝑡 = 0, we can say that 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 = 0. This means that the object is not moving. If the object is not
moving, we can say that 𝑉𝑉 = 0, meaning 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 = 𝑉𝑉 at 𝑡𝑡 = 0.

𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 = 𝑔𝑔(0) + 𝐶𝐶 ∴ 𝐶𝐶 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜

Thus we get: 𝑉𝑉 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 + 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
Displacement after time 𝑡𝑡

We use the definition of velocity:

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑉𝑉 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Substituting 𝑉𝑉 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 + 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 + 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Integrating both sides

� 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = �(𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 + 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

1
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡 2 + 𝐶𝐶
2
Since 𝑦𝑦 = 0 when 𝑡𝑡 = 0, 𝐶𝐶 = 0, so:
1
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 + 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡 2
2
Velocity after Falling a distance 𝑦𝑦

Using the 𝑉𝑉 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 + 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔, solve for 𝑡𝑡:

𝑉𝑉 − 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜
𝑡𝑡 =
𝑔𝑔

Substituting into the displacement equation:

𝑉𝑉 − 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 1 𝑉𝑉 − 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 2
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 � � + 𝑔𝑔 � �
𝑔𝑔 2 𝑔𝑔

Multiplying and Simplifying:

𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 (𝑉𝑉 − 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 ) (𝑉𝑉 − 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 )2

𝑦𝑦 = +
𝑔𝑔 2𝑔𝑔

Multiplying both sides by 2𝑔𝑔:

2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 2𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 (𝑉𝑉 − 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 ) + (𝑉𝑉 − 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 )2

Simplifying and Rearranging:

𝑉𝑉 2 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜2 + 2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
This equation gives the velocity at a given height without needing time.
Special Cases

1. Object Dropped from rest (𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 = 0)

a. Velocity after time 𝑡𝑡:

Using velocity equation, and applying the condition 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 = 0:

𝑉𝑉 = 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔

b. Displacement after time 𝑡𝑡:

Using displacement equation and applying the condition 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 = 0:

1 2
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡
2
c. Velocity after falling a distance 𝑦𝑦:

Using the derived equation 𝑉𝑉 2 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜2 + 2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 and applying the condition 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 = 0:

𝑉𝑉 2 = 2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑉𝑉 = �2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔

2. Object Thrown Upwards (𝑉𝑉0 > 0)

If an object is thrown upwards, it moves against gravity (𝑔𝑔) until it reaches the highest
point where 𝑉𝑉 = 0, then falls back down.
a. Maximum Height 𝑦𝑦𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚

At maximum height, the velocity becomes zero and the object is moving against gravity.

𝑉𝑉 2 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜2 − 2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔

Setting 𝑉𝑉 = 0

𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜2 = 2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
Rearranging for 𝑦𝑦:

𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜2
𝑦𝑦 = = 𝑦𝑦𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
2𝑔𝑔

b. Time to Reach Maximum Height 𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢

Using the velocity equation and applying the condition 𝑉𝑉 = 0

0 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 − 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢

Rearranging for 𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 :

𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜
𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 =
𝑔𝑔
 c. Total time of flight 𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓

Symmetry in Free Fall Motion

• When an object is thrown upwards with an initial velocity uuu, it moves against
gravity, slows down, and eventually reaches its highest point where 𝑉𝑉 = 0.

• Then, the object falls back down under the influence of gravity.

• Since the acceleration due to gravity is constant (𝑔𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠 2 ), the time taken to
slow down to zero while going up is the same as the time taken to speed up from
zero while coming down.

Time to Fall back down 𝑡𝑡𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 :

Now, let’s analyze the downward journey. When the object starts falling from the highest point:

• Its initial velocity is 0.

• It accelerates downward with 𝑔𝑔.

• It takes time 𝑡𝑡𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 to reach back to the starting position with the same velocity
𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 (but in the opposite direction).

Using the velocity equation:

𝑉𝑉 = 0 + 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

Since it reaches the original launch speed but in the opposite direction and rearranging
for 𝑡𝑡𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 :
𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜
𝑡𝑡𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 =
𝑔𝑔

Total Time of flight 𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 :

𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 2𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 2𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜

𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 = 𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 + 𝑡𝑡𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = + = ∴ 𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 =
𝑔𝑔 𝑔𝑔 𝑔𝑔 𝑔𝑔

The time to go up and come down are equal because:

• Gravity acts symmetrically on both phases of motion.

• The object slows down and speeds up at the same rate.

• The equations for both upward and downward motion result in the same time expressions.

This symmetry holds true only in the absence of air resistance. If air resistance is present, the time to
go up would be slightly less than the time to come down due to energy loss in the air.
A ball is dropped from the 50 m mark of a tall building. It falls freely until it is intercepted by a balcony
at the 20 m mark (above the ground). A person on the balcony picks it up and throws it vertically
upward with a speed of 10 m/s. The ball reaches a maximum height before falling to the ground.

Find:

1. The velocity of the ball just before reaching the balcony (20 m mark).

2. The time taken to reach the balcony.

3. The maximum height the ball reaches after being thrown.

4. The total time taken from when the ball is thrown upwards to when it hits the ground.

5. The total time of motion from the initial drop to when the ball reaches the ground.

50 m
50 m

20 m
20 m
Solution:

Phase 1: Free Fall Motion from 50 m to 20 m

1. Velocity just before reaching the balcony

Given: 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 = 0 𝑦𝑦 = 50 − 20 = 30𝑚𝑚 𝑔𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠 2

Using the equation 𝑉𝑉 2 = 𝑉𝑉02 + 2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 and this being Special Case 1, we can simplify it to 𝑉𝑉 = �2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔.

𝑉𝑉 = �2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = �2(9.81)(30) = √588 ≈ 24.3 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠

2. Time taken to reach the balcony

Using Special Case 1 (Displacement) equation:

1 2 2𝑦𝑦 60
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡 = � = � ≈ 2.47𝑠𝑠
2 𝑔𝑔 9.81

Phase 2: Ball thrown upwards from balcony (20 m mark)

Given: 𝑉𝑉 = 0 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 = 10 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠 (𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈)

3. Maximum height reached after being thrown upwards (Indicated by the yellow bracket)

Since this is Special Case 2, we use:

𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜2 102
𝑦𝑦𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = = ≈ 5.1 𝑚𝑚
2𝑔𝑔 2(9.81)

If the reference for the question is the ground we can say that the maximum height reached for Phase
2 is 𝑦𝑦𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 20 + 5.1 = 25.1 𝑚𝑚
 4. Time take to reach maximum height

Still in Special Case 2, we use:

𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 10
𝑡𝑡 = = ≈ 1.02 𝑠𝑠
𝑔𝑔 9.81

Since we calculated the time to reach max height, we can also get the time of flight which is:
2𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜
𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 = = 2 ∗ 1.02 = 2.04 𝑠𝑠
𝑔𝑔

Phase 3 Time from 20 m to Ground

Using the General Formula for Displacement:

1
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡 2 ; 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 = 10 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠(𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷), 𝑦𝑦 = 20 𝑚𝑚
2
1
20 = (10)𝑡𝑡 + (9.81)𝑡𝑡 2
2
𝑡𝑡 = 1.24 𝑠𝑠

Time symmetry tells us that the ball regains its original launch speed when it returns to the same
launch height. However, the balcony (20 m) is not the same height as the launch height (also 20 m)
when considering the entire motion. Here's why:

1. Velocity at Balcony is Downward, Not Upward

o When the ball is thrown up from 20 m, it slows down until it reaches max height (25.1
m).

o On the way back down, it passes through 20 m again.

o However, when it passes 20 m, it has the same speed (10 m/s) but in the downward
direction.

2. The True Initial Velocity for the Fall from 20m to Ground

o The moment the ball crosses 20m going down, its velocity is 10 m/s downward, not 10
m/s upward.

o The time symmetry only applies to the upward and downward paths relative to one
specific height.

3. Free Fall from 20m to Ground Uses a New Motion Calculation

o Now that the ball is at 20 m with 10 m/s downward, it falls freely to the ground.

o This means we must treat it as a new motion segment with:

𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 = 10 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠(𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷), 𝑦𝑦 = 20 𝑚𝑚

Thus the Total Time of travel from the moment of throwing to the ground impact is:
𝑡𝑡𝑇𝑇 = 1.02 ∗ 2 + 1.24 + 2.5 = 5.78 𝑠𝑠