Question

When an object falls in the Earth's atmosphere, air resistance causes an object to accelerate towards the ground at a lower rate than the standard rate of g=9.8 m/s2. Which of the following options best explains this phenomenon?

A) The object experiences a greater force of gravity due to the presence of air molecules, which counteracts the acceleration caused by gravity.
B) Air resistance creates an upward force that opposes the force of gravity, resulting in a reduced net force and slower acceleration.
C) The object's mass increases when it enters the atmosphere, leading to a decrease in acceleration.
D) The object's shape changes when it enters the atmosphere, causing a decrease in the gravitational force acting on it.

Answer 1

Air resistance creates an upward force that opposes the force of gravity, resulting in a reduced net force and slower acceleration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct explanation for why an object falling in the Earth's atmosphere accelerates at a lower rate than the standard rate of g=9.8 m/s2 is option B) Air resistance creates an upward force that opposes the force of gravity, resulting in a reduced net force and slower acceleration.

When an object falls, it experiences air resistance, which is a force that acts in the opposite direction of the object's motion. The magnitude of the air resistance depends on the object's shape and surface area. Objects with less surface area experience more air resistance, which creates an upward force that counteracts the force of gravity and reduces the net force on the object. Therefore, the object accelerates at a slower rate.