Free fall is motion under gravity alone, starting from rest. Vertical throw adds initial velocity.
Free Fall (u = 0, a = g):
- v = gt, h = \frac{1}{2}$$gt^2, v = sqrt(2gh)
- Distance in nth second: = g
- Successive second ratio: 1:3:5:7:9 (Galileo's law)
- Cumulative distance ratio: 1:4:9:16:25 (perfect squares)
Vertical Throw (upward, u = ):
- Time to top: t =
- Max height: H = ^
- Total flight time: T = 2/g
- Symmetry: speed at any height during ascent = speed at same height during descent
- Time of ascent = time of descent (to same level)
Ball dropped vs thrown upward vs thrown downward from same height: All three hit the ground with the SAME speed (energy conservation: v = sqrt( + 2gh)). Only the direction of impact velocity differs.