Question

a paint brush is dropped from the top of a tall ladder and free falls to the ground. what changes, if any, would be observed of the velocity and the acceleration of the brush as it falls? pick the two answers. tap to select or deselect answers. the velocity ... increases decreases remains constant the acceleration ... increases decreases remains constant

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze velocity in free - fall

In free - fall, the initial velocity of the paint brush is \(v_0 = 0\). As it falls, due to the force of gravity acting on it, its velocity changes according to the equation \(v=v_0 + gt\) (where \(v_0 = 0\), \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity and \(t\) is time). So the velocity \(v = gt\), and as time \(t\) increases, the velocity increases.

Step2: Analyze acceleration in free - fall

Near the surface of the Earth, when an object is in free - fall (neglecting air resistance), the acceleration is the acceleration due to gravity \(g\approx9.8\ m/s^{2}\). This value remains constant throughout the free - fall motion of the object.

Answer:

The velocity ... increases
The acceleration ... remains constant