Physics basics: Gravity and acceleration

Gravity is the force of acceleration between two objects with mass. For example, the Sun and Earth, or a golfball on Earth. In Tynker, you can simulate gravity with the set gravity block. The two parameters allow you to create gravity in the x and the y directions.

OK, so the set gravity block gives Tynker actors an acceleration. But what is acceleration, exactly?

Acceleration is a measurement of change in velocity. Forces give objects an acceleration. The acceleration that gravity on Earth gives us is 9.8 meters / second squared.

In other words, when you drop a ball on Earth, that ball gains velocity 9.8 meters per second, every second, as it falls!

• After the first second of freefall, a dropped ball’s velocity will be 9.8 meters per second.

• After the second second of freefall, the same ball’s ball’s velocity will be 18.6 meters per second, and so on.

BTW. In real life, a falling ball’s acceleration eventually stops, as air resistance pushes the ball upwards, countering the force of gravity, until the ball reaches its so-called terminal velocity.