Do objects of different mass fall at the same rate?

In summary, objects of different masses fall with the same acceleration due to gravity, which is a constant 9.81 m/s^2 on Earth. Although they may fall at the same rate, the force of gravity on the objects will differ based on their mass. This is known as the principle of equivalence and is explained by the theory of general relativity.
  • #1
eve_23
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Do objects of different mass fall at the same rate? If yes or no, why?

Thank you.
 
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  • #2
Objects of different masses fall with the same acceleration. This is because the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the Earth is constant (in an ideal model) which equals 9.81 m/s^2. If you dropped a ten ton weight and a golf ball from a tower, they would hit the floor at the same time (not taking into account air resistance). However the force on the objects will be different. The larger the mass, the larger the force due to gravity.
 
  • #3

1. How does mass affect the rate at which objects fall?

According to the principle of gravitational acceleration, all objects, regardless of their mass, will fall at the same rate in a vacuum. This means that if two objects are dropped from the same height, they will hit the ground at the same time.

2. Why do objects with different masses fall at the same rate?

This is because the force of gravity acts equally on all objects, causing them to accelerate at the same rate. The greater the mass, the greater the force of gravity, but this is counterbalanced by the greater inertia of the object, resulting in the same rate of acceleration.

3. Does air resistance affect the rate at which objects fall?

Yes, air resistance can affect the rate at which objects fall. However, in a vacuum where there is no air resistance, objects of different masses will still fall at the same rate due to the force of gravity.

4. Are there any exceptions to the principle of gravitational acceleration?

Yes, there are some exceptions, such as when objects are in freefall or when the gravitational pull of one object is significantly stronger than another. In these cases, the rate at which objects fall may differ.

5. Does the shape of an object affect its rate of falling?

The shape of an object does not affect its rate of falling, as long as the object is in a vacuum where there is no air resistance. In this case, all objects, regardless of their shape, will fall at the same rate due to the force of gravity.

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