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

Friction.

In the bowling ball vs feather comparison they fall at the same speed without atmosphere to slow the down. The air friction from the atmosphere is what makes a feather fall slower in normal life.

It’s the same thing on snow. Friction from sliding is overcome from higher mass but not low mass.

It’s also a bit more complex than this, the nature of the snow can result in the opposite effect. Consider a heavy skiier with small skiis would sink into the snow (increasing the friction) while a lighter skiier with large skiis would not compress the snow and glide over it.