Question

Drop a paper of A-4 size and a

piece of wood/plastic about 2-3
inches long, from a height more
than 10 feet. Note the time for both
to hit the ground. Now repeat the
experiment by folding the paper
once, twice, thrice... (as many
time as you can). Why every time
the travel time reduces for paper
and remains the same for
wooden/plastic piece. Does the
paper at any stage hit ground
before wooden/plastic piece? If
yes,

Answer 1

Folding the paper reduces the surface area/volume. Travel time reduces due to less friction.

The wooden or plastic piece never changes its amount of drag/friction in the atmosphere.

If the paper is folded/compressed small enough, such that it’s friction is less than the wood or plastic then yes it would fall faster.

In a perfect vacuum, there is no friction to factor in, thus both fall at same speed.