Eli5 If the equation for force is F=ma why does dropping the same object from 2 different heights change how much an object would be crushed?

Question

In science one year, we did a test of dropping a water bottle from different heights over a Pringle, and we had to protect the Pringle with a paper. But how would increasing the height increase the force is the mass and acceleration is the same?

In: 152

Answer 1

Because in that situation the a=acceleration=g=gravity=9.8m/s^2

The longer it falls the faster it gets, until it reaches terminal velocity. As you are raising the height, you are increasing the total potential energy. The potential energy converts to kinetic energy during the fall. When the object stops and hits the ground, all this energy is released. Energy releases in the form of deformation of the object, heat and sound.