172k views
4 votes
A heavy object and a light object are dropped from the same height. If we neglect air resistance, which will hit the ground first?

User Pypat
by
5.4k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

None, both objects will hit ground at the same time.

Step-by-step explanation:

  • Assuming no air resistance present, and that both objects start from rest, we can apply the following kinematic equation for the vertical displacement:


\Delta h = (1)/(2)*g*t^(2) (1)

  • As the left side in (1) is the same for both objects, the right side will be the same also.
  • Since g is constant close to the surface of the Earth, it's also the same for both objects.
  • So, the time t must be the same for both objects also.
User Worthy Alpaca
by
5.5k points