Concept in Definition ABC

When we talk about free fall we are faced with a copy of English, specifically the phrase free fall. It is a term that, in its strictest sense, is related to an essential aspect of physics, the movement. Understanding movement has been one of humanity's challenges throughout history.

The movement in free fall is related to the law gravity, which states that in a vacuum (without resistance of the air) all bodies fall with the same constant acceleration. This law is extremely useful to understand any movement of reality. One of the specific movements is precisely that of free fall. The equation The mathematical expression that expresses the idea of ​​free fall incorporates the following variables: velocity initial, middle and final, as well as the force of gravity and the time spent in the fall of a body. This general idea presents several different formulations depending on the type of free fall (for example, it is not even a free fall in a parabola movement or the one that occurs in a body that starts in a resting position).

Free fall activities

The concept of free fall explains the movement of bodies. This theoretical explanation is applicable to all kinds of realities. Thus, in fair performances, some attractions consist of getting on some devices that fall at high speed and cause an adrenaline rush. It's the same as skydiving, bungee jumping, and other activities.

Figuratively

Without realizing it, we use very everyday expressions in a figurative way and, therefore, what is said does not strictly correspond to reality. When it is stated that the sun rises at a certain time, the truth is not said, since the sun does not rise but the earth rotates on itself in the rotational movement and the sun appears every 24 hours. This example of figurative language helps us understand the expression free fall in different areas. If a soccer team loses one game after another, it is very likely that a headline will claim that that team is in free fall. The same is true in the context of stock Exchange when there is a situation of continued loss.

When a person, a value stock exchange or a soccer team goes into free fall, a difficult situation is being communicated and it is apparently out of control. It is something that cannot be stopped and that is getting worse and worse.

Photos: iStock - Lise Gagne / vuk8691