Heavier objects fall faster myth or fact?

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In summary, the belief that heavier objects fall faster was proven to be false by Galileo's experiments and further confirmed by Newton's laws of motion. The idea that objects of different masses fall at the same acceleration is only true if wind resistance is neglected. However, when considering the gravitational pull between the object and the Earth, a heavier object would theoretically converge with the Earth sooner than a lighter object. This difference in time is extremely small but still true according to scientific discussions.
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sigh hens
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Heavier objects fall faster...myth or fact?

(I'm not too good with history so correct me if I'm wrong.)

pre-gallileo this is what people generally assumed. Gallileo actually did some experiments to show that all objects fall at the same acceleration. Then Newton provided the math and it was realized that wind resistance was that factor that made everyone think heavier objects fall faster. And now it seems everyone says that if you neglect wind resistance that every object regardless of mass, will fall at the same acceleration. But is this technically false?

The Earth pulls everything at the exact same acceleration (assuming the distance from the Earth's core is the same). But the object being dropped is also pulling on the earth. So wouldn't a heavier object cause the Earth to accelerate towards it more than a lighter object? Which would mean that a heavier object would converge with the Earth sooner? The difference in time would be extremely extremely small but that doesn't make it less true.
 
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thanks doc al
 

1. Is it true that heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects?

No, this is a myth. In a vacuum, all objects fall at the same rate regardless of their weight. This is known as the "equivalence principle" and was first demonstrated by Galileo in the 16th century.

2. Why do heavier objects appear to fall faster than lighter objects?

This is due to air resistance, which affects the acceleration of an object as it falls through the air. Heavier objects may have a greater mass, but they also have a larger surface area and experience more air resistance, making them appear to fall faster. However, in a vacuum, this difference in acceleration is not present.

3. What is the difference between weight and mass in relation to falling objects?

Weight is a measure of the force of gravity on an object, and it can change depending on the strength of the gravitational field. Mass, on the other hand, is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of the gravitational field. In terms of falling objects, mass plays a larger role in determining the rate of acceleration, not weight.

4. Can heavier objects ever fall faster than lighter objects?

In certain situations, yes. If an object is falling in a medium with a high viscosity, such as honey, then the heavier object will fall faster due to its larger mass. Similarly, if air resistance is not a factor, then the heavier object may fall faster due to its greater gravitational force. However, these situations are not applicable in everyday scenarios on Earth.

5. How has modern science proven the "heavier objects fall faster" myth to be false?

Through numerous experiments and observations, including Galileo's famous Leaning Tower of Pisa experiment, scientists have been able to demonstrate that all objects fall at the same rate in a vacuum. This has been further confirmed by the general theory of relativity, which explains the relationship between gravity and acceleration.

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