Is this why feathers fall slower than canon balls?

In summary, objects of different mass will fall at the same time with acceleration g if they are in a vacuum and have the same initial speed and height. However, air resistance causes the acceleration to decrease until the drag and weight are equal. A canon ball, being heavier than a feather, will take a longer time to reach equal weight and drag and gain a greater velocity. The feather falls slowly due to its low mass, while shape and density also play a role in the speed of falling objects. For objects of the same material, a small and large ball will fall at the same speed.
  • #1
Sherazi
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Two objects of different mass should fall at the same time, both with acceleration g. That is if the objects are in a vacuum, have the same initial speed and height. However, considering air resistance, the acceleration diminishes until both the drag and the weight are equal. Now, a canon ball has a larger mass and weight than a feather. So according to this, am I right to assume it would take a longer time before it achieves equal weight and drag than a feather thus gaining a greater velocity?

I would think the feather quickly obtains uniform speed due to its very low mass and that is why it falls slowly. Is this right?
 
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  • #2
Shape and density are important factors.

A small ball and a large ball of the same material would fall at the same speed.
 

What is the reason for feathers falling slower than canon balls?

The reason for feathers falling slower than canon balls is due to air resistance. Feathers are lightweight and have a larger surface area compared to canon balls, which allows for more air resistance and results in a slower fall.

Does gravity affect feathers and canon balls differently?

Yes, gravity affects feathers and canon balls differently. While both objects experience the same gravitational force, feathers have a lower mass compared to canon balls, which causes them to accelerate at a slower rate.

Are there any other factors that contribute to the difference in falling speed between feathers and canon balls?

Apart from air resistance, other factors that contribute to the difference in falling speed between feathers and canon balls include the shape and density of the objects. Feathers are more aerodynamic and less dense compared to canon balls, which also affects their falling speed.

Why do feathers and canon balls fall at the same speed in a vacuum?

In a vacuum, there is no air resistance, and all objects, regardless of their mass or shape, fall at the same rate due to the force of gravity. Therefore, feathers and canon balls would fall at the same speed in a vacuum.

Can feathers fall faster than canon balls under certain circumstances?

Yes, under certain circumstances, feathers can fall faster than canon balls. For example, if a feather and a canon ball are dropped in a vacuum, the feather may reach the ground first as it has a larger surface area and experiences less air resistance. Additionally, if the canon ball is dropped from a greater height, it would reach a higher velocity and fall faster than the feather.

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