Final answer:
Courtney does science through inquiry by opting to conduct an experiment to see which objects fall the fastest, embodying the hands-on application of the scientific method in physics. So the correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best example of Courtney doing science through the use of inquiry is A. Courtney decides to drop several different objects off her apartment's porch to see which falls the fastest. This option portrays Courtney actively conducting an experiment to understand a scientific concept, specifically gravity and rate of fall, which is a foundational aspect of physics. By doing this, she is engaging in a scientific inquiry where she is observing, testing, and gathering data firsthand, which is a critical part of the scientific method. Other options, such as paying attention in class, reading about the history of the study of gravity, or trying to understand a calculation, while informative and important, do not involve active experimentation.