Question #50365

2 Answers
Apr 20, 2014

An increase of height increases the time that the object will fall, and therefore the final velocity of the falling object.

Watch the example shown on the following video:
http://socratic.org/physics/1d-motion/falling-objects/videos

Dec 7, 2015

It increases the amount of potential energy with respect to the gravitational center.

Explanation:

A "falling" object implies a gravitational field. In fact, all orbital motions are related to this concept of the height of a falling mass.

A 'dropped' object converts its potential energy derived from it height into kinetic energy as it accelerates. "Terminal Velocity" only applies in the presence of a resistive force, such as wind resistance. Otherwise, Newton's Laws say that a mass will continue to accelerate as long as a force is applied to it. Of course, Einstein showed that the speed of light in a vacuum IS a limit!