Students analyze their data from a gravity experiment. They find that objects fall at a greater speed from a greater height than from a lower height. What can they conclude? (1 point) Students must have mismeasured the objects' drop times. The experiment must have a design flaw. The longer an object falls, the more gravity increases its speed. The longer an object falls, the greater its mass.
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The Deep Dive
Objects fall at a greater speed from greater heights due to the acceleration of gravity, which is constant at approximately 9.81 m/s² near Earth's surface. This means that as an object falls longer, its speed increases continuously until it hits the ground. This is a fundamental principle in physics, illustrated beautifully by Galileo's famous experiments where he demonstrated that mass does not affect the rate of fall in a vacuum. When conducting experiments on gravity, it's crucial to ensure all measurements are accurate, particularly timing. Common mistakes include not starting the timer at the exact moment the object is dropped or miscalculating height. To avoid these pitfalls, use consistent methods for timing and measuring heights, and repeat the experiment several times to ensure reliable data.