Re: FREEFALL OR NOT

[Richard Tarara <rtarara@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

----- Original Message -----
From: John Mallinckrodt <ajmallinckro@CSUPOMONA.EDU>


> On Thu, 14 Oct 1999, Richard Tarara wrote:
>
> > ... My criteria for free-fall is that there be only ONE force acting on
> > the falling object, the gravitational attraction of a MAJOR attractor
> > (like the earth).
>
> Rick,
>
> An object near a Lagrange point, for instance, would not be in freefall
> under this definition.  My criterion is simpler, more general, and, I
> think you will agree, more correct: For an object to be in freefall it
> should be subject to no nongravitational forces.
>
> John Mallinckrodt      mailto:ajm@csupomona.edu

Yes, of course that is more correct--but then the term 'free fall' is
somewhat less descriptive for this situation and the deep space, no forces
at all one.

Rick