What Happens When an Object Falls Freely for 40 Seconds?

When an object starts from rest and falls freely for 40 seconds, it is known as free fall. This is a phenomenon in which an object is only acted upon by gravity and is not subjected to any other outside force or influence. This means that the object does not have any friction to slow it down, and thus it accelerates as it falls. As a result, the object can reach a speed of approximately 174 feet per second, or 116 miles per hour in just 40 seconds.

Understanding the Laws of Motion

Understanding the Laws of Motion

The force of gravity is the most influential factor in free fall, and it is one that is governed by the laws of motion. According to Newton’s first law, an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. This means that an object in free fall will continue to fall at an acceleration of 9.8m/s2, or 32 feet per second, until it has been stopped. Newton’s second law states that the acceleration of an object is dependent on the mass of the object and the net force acting on the object, which in this case is gravity.

The Force of Gravity

The Force of Gravity

Gravity is a force of attraction between two objects that have mass. On Earth, gravity is the force that pulls objects towards the ground and keeps them from floating away into space. It is the same force that causes objects to fall when they are dropped. The acceleration of gravity (g) is constant and is equal to 9.8m/s2 or 32 feet per second, thus making it easy to calculate the speed of an object falling for a certain amount of time.

Calculating the Speed of an Object Falling for 40 Seconds

Calculating the Speed of an Object Falling for 40 Seconds

The formula for calculating the speed of an object in free fall is: v = gt, where v is the speed, g is the acceleration of gravity and t is the time. In this case, the speed of the object after 40 seconds will be v = 9.8m/s2 × 40s = 394m/s or 1338 feet per second. This means that the object will have reached a speed of approximately 174 feet per second, or 116 miles per hour in just 40 seconds.



When an object starts from rest and falls freely for 40 seconds, it will reach a tremendous speed of 174 feet per second or 116 miles per hour. This phenomenon is governed by the laws of motion and is due to the force of gravity acting on the object. By understanding the laws of motion and the force of gravity, it is possible to calculate the speed of an object falling for a certain amount of time.