Question

analyzing gravitational data quick check
two objects fall from an apartment window sill at the same time. object 1 lands on the sidewalk in 3.6 seconds. object 2 lands on the sidewalk in 3.3 seconds. what can be concluded about the objects? (1 point)
object 1 has less surface area than object 2.
object 2 weighs less than object 1.
object 2 has more mass than object 1.
object 1 has more surface area than object 2.

Explanation:

When objects fall, air resistance (related to surface area) affects their fall time. A larger surface area means more air resistance. Object 1 takes longer (3.6 s) to fall than Object 2 (3.3 s). More air resistance (from larger surface area) slows down the fall. So Object 1 has more surface area than Object 2. Weight/mass (in a vacuum all objects fall at same rate, but here with air resistance) - options about weight/mass are incorrect as fall time difference is due to air resistance (surface - area related). If an object has less surface area (less air resistance), it would fall faster (but Object 2 falls faster, so if it had less surface area that would make sense, but the option is about Object 1 having less which is wrong).

Answer:

Object 1 has more surface area than Object 2.