Purpose
To demonstrate that heavier things fall faster
than lighter things.
| Procedure |
| 1. |
Hold
the paper in one hand and the book in the
other, keeping both
waist-high. |
| 2. |
Drop
the book and the paper at the same time. |
| 3. |
Observe
the paper and book as they fall and strike
the floor. |
Results
The book hits the floor before the paper does.
Why?
Gravity causes the speed of falling objects
to increase at a rate of 32
feet per second (9.8 m per second) for every
second of falling time. All things would fall
at this rate, regardless of their weight, in
a vacuum. But air molecules in the earth's atmosphere
push against falling objects and slow their
falling rate. Heavier objects, such as the book,
push through the air with more force than do
lightweight objects, such as the paper. Thus,
heavier objects fall through air faster than
do lightweight objects.
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