- #1
HenryKhais
- 7
- 0
Hello,
I was conducting some experiments with toilet paper.
I tore off 2 sheets of square paper, each measuring 0.5g.
I began dropping them from equal levels at approximately the same exact time.
They each landed equally (obviously), however, as I began to crumble one of the sheets into a ball, I observed that it reached the surface much faster than the other sheet that remained flat.
I also observed that the denser I made the ball (the smaller I shaped it), the faster it dropped.
Why is this?
Does this have to do with less Force going against the denser object because it's smaller (aerodynamically)?
I have read people say that density does not affect acceleration, yet the experiment showed that the more compact you made it, the faster it accelerated.
My Current Theory:
Equal masses, regardless of the matter (be it toilet paper, notebook paper, or an eraser), have equal Maximum Velocities (under equal gravity).
The density, however, affect how fast the sample of matter will reach it's maximum velocity, before falling at an equal rate.
Please keep in mind, I am very new to Physics, apologies if I sound dumb!
Thank You!
I was conducting some experiments with toilet paper.
I tore off 2 sheets of square paper, each measuring 0.5g.
I began dropping them from equal levels at approximately the same exact time.
They each landed equally (obviously), however, as I began to crumble one of the sheets into a ball, I observed that it reached the surface much faster than the other sheet that remained flat.
I also observed that the denser I made the ball (the smaller I shaped it), the faster it dropped.
Why is this?
Does this have to do with less Force going against the denser object because it's smaller (aerodynamically)?
I have read people say that density does not affect acceleration, yet the experiment showed that the more compact you made it, the faster it accelerated.
My Current Theory:
Equal masses, regardless of the matter (be it toilet paper, notebook paper, or an eraser), have equal Maximum Velocities (under equal gravity).
The density, however, affect how fast the sample of matter will reach it's maximum velocity, before falling at an equal rate.
Please keep in mind, I am very new to Physics, apologies if I sound dumb!
Thank You!
Last edited: