how is it that heavier objects don’t fall faster (e.g. Pisa experiment) , but heavier people go faster downhill on skis or sleds than less heavy people

Question

Edit: thanks all for your examples!

In: 3

Answer 1

Lets look at gravity, it exerts a force of 9.81 N per kg of mass. The formula for acceleration is the acceleration is force/weight. If you combine these 2 the weight drops out so acceleration is independent of weight.

However on earth there is air resistance so the larger your frontal surface is the more air resistance you have, this is why a kilogram of feathers would fall slower than a kilogram of lead on earth, but both would fall just as fast on the moon.

Heavier people have more weight relative to their frontal area and are able to go faster.