Why do objects of different sizes fall at the same speed, even though gravity has a larger pull on larger objects?
In: 5
Actually, gravity *doesn’t* have a larger pull on larger objects. On Earth, in general, all objects are experiencing the same gravity (that is 9.81 m/s²). This means that when 2 different sized objects are released from the same height, both of their speeds increase at the exact same rate since gravity pulls on both objects equally as strong.
However, the impact they have when they hit the ground depends on its mass. The heavier object (which larger objects tend to be) will definitely be more destructive (think dropping a plastic ball vs a bowling ball from a height of 10 feet. The bowling ball might crack the floor while the plastic ball wouldn’t). This might give the illusion that gravity “has a larger pull on larger objects”.
Hope this helps!
P.S this isn’t a technical question but a logic question so idky people have to touch on air resistance or drag or differing gravitational pulls or whatever little nuance that affects calculations but not the delivery of a physics concept to the general public. It’s an ELI5 thread ffs, not an online Physics Forum.
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