Ep 9. Free Falling

Crash Course is an educational YouTube series created by Hank Green, designed to help students learn about various topics in an engaging and entertaining way. In season 1 episode 9, titled "Free Falling," viewers are taken on a journey through the world of physics and the science behind free-falling objects.

The episode begins by exploring the history of free-fall experiments, dating all the way back to the ancient Greeks. From there, the concept of gravity is introduced and explained, along with the force of air resistance which counteracts it.

Throughout the episode, a number of different examples are used to demonstrate the principles of free-fall, including skydiving, bungee jumping, and even dropping eggs from a building. Viewers are shown how the velocity of a falling object increases the longer it falls and the effect of air resistance and how it can make the egg survive the fall even without a parachute.

As the episode progresses, viewers learn about the mathematical equations used to calculate the position and velocity of a free-falling object at any given time, as well as the factors that can affect the speed and trajectory of a fall. Additionally, some practical applications of free-fall principles are explored, such as calculating the distance of a hailstorm before it hits the ground and measuring the height of an object by dropping it and timing how long it takes to hit the ground.

Throughout the episode, Green provides clear and concise explanations, using visual aids and metaphors to help illustrate complex physics concepts in a way that is both accessible and entertaining. Viewers are encouraged to participate in thought experiments, such as considering what would happen if there were no air resistance in free-fall, and to think critically about the real-world implications of the science they are learning.

Without spoiling the episode for anyone who hasn't seen it, it can be said that "Free Falling" is a fascinating exploration of the physics behind objects in motion, and an excellent resource for students or anyone interested in learning more about the science of free-fall. Whether you're a skydiver looking to understand the forces at work during your free-fall, or simply a curious science enthusiast, this episode is sure to educate and entertain.