F = ma

[Larryz]

I understand owing to or at least partly owing to f = ma

in a vacumn all object free fall at the same speed/ velocity.

 

So a = f/m so a mass of 10kg and a mass of 1kg

so a = 10 * 10 / 10 = 10m/s. and a = 1 * 10 / 1 = 10 m/s.

 

Which confirms the same accelerstion for both masses.

 

IF we take gravity to be a force like a spring and the same

masses on frictionless wheels representing a vacumn.

 

If we put the same tension in the spring for both masses.

 

It feels as if the lighter weight acted up by the spring in a horizontal

 

direction accross the floor will move much more quickly

than the heavier weight.

 

In the same way as if someone shoves a skinny man or

a fat man with the same force.

 

It feels as if frree fall is different than the examples on the

floor.

 

I am aware that momentum mass x velocity is conserved.

Owing to the lower velocity but larger mass and higher

velocity and smaller mass.

However why are the speeds not the same in the on the floor

example. When the only difference seems to be free fall downwards

as oppposed to freeflow with a fixed force horizontally?

 

[Edward Wechner]

The acceleration force on a gravitational free fall is a function of the mass so there is ten times more force on the 10 kg mass than on the 1 kg mass. On your horizontal acceleration you assume a constant force, that is a spring with the same tension, so the acceleration obviously is different a = F/m.

[derek w]

yeh,one spring attached to your 1kg mass,and ten springs attached to your 10kg mass.

[Larryz]

Thanks to both responses. I did not realise the exact connection

of the mass with gravity.