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In a vacuum or in the absence of air resistance, all objects, regardless of their weight or mass, fall at the same rate. This principle is known as the equivalence principle and was famously demonstrated by Galileo. It means that in the absence of air resistance, objects fall solely due to gravity, and their mass does not affect the rate of descent.

However, in the real world, air resistance can play a role. In an environment with air, heavier objects may experience slightly more air resistance, but the difference is often negligible for most everyday scenarios. In a vacuum, where there is no air to provide resistance, all objects fall at the same rate due to gravity alone.

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Prince Kebin

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Why do objects all fall at the same time when gravity is the only force acting?

-- Because that's the way gravity behaves. -- Because is would be ridiculous to think that heavy objects fall faster. Here's why: ==> Let's say that heavy objects fall faster and light objects fall slower. ==> Take a piece of sticky tape and stick a light object onto the back of a heavy object. Then drop them together off of a roof. ==> The light object tries to fall slower and holds back, and the heavy object tries to fall faster and pulls forward. So when they're stuck together, they fall at some in-between speed. ==> But wait! When they're stuck together they weigh more than the heavy object alone. So how can a stuck-together object that's heavier than the heavy object alone fall at a speed that's slower than the heavy object alone ? ! ? Isn't that ridiculous ? There's no way that heavy objects can fall faster than light objects.


Who believed that heavy objects fall faster than lighter ones?

Aristotle believed that heavy objects fall faster than lighter ones. This idea was later proven wrong by Galileo's experiments, which showed that in a vacuum, objects of different weights fall at the same rate.


Do objects that fall toward Earth fall faster and faster?

Objects that fall towards Earth do not fall faster and faster. In a vacuum, all objects fall at the same rate, regardless of their mass. This is known as the principle of universal gravitation and was first demonstrated by Galileo.


Does lighter objects fall down faster then heavier objects?

No lighter things do not fall faster than heavier things. In a vacuum they will fall at the same speed. Normally the heavier thing will fall down faster because of its weight. Sometimes the lighter thing falls faster depending on the air resistance.


Do heavy objects fall to the ground before light objects?

In the absence of air resistance, heavy objects and light objects fall to the ground at the same rate. This is because all objects experience the same acceleration due to gravity, regardless of their mass. However, factors like air resistance can affect the rate at which objects fall.

Related Questions

Why do objects all fall at the same time when gravity is the only force acting?

-- Because that's the way gravity behaves. -- Because is would be ridiculous to think that heavy objects fall faster. Here's why: ==> Let's say that heavy objects fall faster and light objects fall slower. ==> Take a piece of sticky tape and stick a light object onto the back of a heavy object. Then drop them together off of a roof. ==> The light object tries to fall slower and holds back, and the heavy object tries to fall faster and pulls forward. So when they're stuck together, they fall at some in-between speed. ==> But wait! When they're stuck together they weigh more than the heavy object alone. So how can a stuck-together object that's heavier than the heavy object alone fall at a speed that's slower than the heavy object alone ? ! ? Isn't that ridiculous ? There's no way that heavy objects can fall faster than light objects.


Who believed that heavy objects fall faster than lighter ones?

Aristotle believed that heavy objects fall faster than lighter ones. This idea was later proven wrong by Galileo's experiments, which showed that in a vacuum, objects of different weights fall at the same rate.


Do objects that fall toward Earth fall faster and faster?

Objects that fall towards Earth do not fall faster and faster. In a vacuum, all objects fall at the same rate, regardless of their mass. This is known as the principle of universal gravitation and was first demonstrated by Galileo.


Aristotle said heavy objects will fall faster and Galileo said heavy and light objects will fall at the same acceleration?

Galileo's theory is more accurate - in a vacuum, objects of different weights will fall at the same rate. This principle is known as the equivalence principle. Aristotle's notion was based on observations in air where air resistance affects the fall rate of heavier objects.


How long in seconds would it take for an object to fall 120 meters?

depends on weight of object and wind strength.normally heavy objects will drop down faster than lighter objects.


Does lighter objects fall down faster then heavier objects?

No lighter things do not fall faster than heavier things. In a vacuum they will fall at the same speed. Normally the heavier thing will fall down faster because of its weight. Sometimes the lighter thing falls faster depending on the air resistance.


Why heavier objects fall faster than do lighter objects?

They don't. All objects fall at the same rate of speed because of weight.


Do heavy objects fall to the ground before light objects?

In the absence of air resistance, heavy objects and light objects fall to the ground at the same rate. This is because all objects experience the same acceleration due to gravity, regardless of their mass. However, factors like air resistance can affect the rate at which objects fall.


Why do objects with more mass fall faster?

Objects with more mass have greater inertia, which means they are more resistant to changes in motion. Therefore, when objects fall, the force of gravity acting on them is unable to slow down the acceleration of more massive objects as much as it does for less massive ones, causing them to fall faster.


What will fly faster in the air a paper clip or a rubber ball?

A paper clip will likely fall faster in the air due to its higher density compared to a rubber ball. Density affects the rate at which objects fall through the air, with denser objects falling faster than less dense objects.


How objects fall on Earth and on the moon?

Objects fall towards the ground due to gravity on both Earth and the moon. However, the acceleration due to gravity is higher on Earth than on the moon, so objects fall faster on Earth compared to the moon. Additionally, the lack of atmosphere on the moon affects the way objects fall by reducing air resistance.


Do heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects when on a parachute?

Assuming the parachutes are the same size, then yes.