Question

challenge 3 - gravity lab escape
problem:
will objects with different masses fall at the same rate or varying rates in the presence of air and a vacuum?
finish both hypotheses:
\if objects with different masses are dropped in the presence of air, then ________.\
\if objects with different masses are dropped in a vacuum, then ________.\
students, write your response!
pear deck interactive slide
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Explanation:

For the first hypothesis (in air), air resistance affects objects differently. Lighter objects or those with more surface area (like a feather vs a rock) experience more relative air resistance, so they fall slower. Heavier/denser objects fall faster, so different masses fall at varying rates. For the second hypothesis (in vacuum), there's no air resistance. According to Galileo's principle and Newton's laws, in the absence of air resistance, all objects accelerate at \( g \) (acceleration due to gravity) regardless of mass, so they fall at the same rate.

Answer:

• "If objects with different masses are dropped in the presence of air, then they will fall at varying rates (heavier/denser objects will fall faster, lighter/less dense or more air - resistant objects will fall slower)."
• "If objects with different masses are dropped in a vacuum, then they will fall at the same rate (all objects will accelerate at the same rate due to gravity, as there is no air resistance to affect their fall)."