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Free fall and gravity

Will two objects with different masses arrive together? Check it out by changing the height and gravity.

    P01 · Two objects fall simultaneously0.00 s · Ready
    Experimental scene where a blue ball and an orange ball fall from the same height at the same time

    Physics/Mechanics/Principles and Exploration

    Free fall and gravity — principles and investigation

    Do heavy objects reach the ground before light objects? This is a free fall experiment in which two balls are placed at rest at the same height and only their masses are changed. Find the conditions that determine the falling time and speed in the absence of air resistance from the position and speed records.

    How does it work?

    At the same height, they arrive together regardless of mass. t = √(2h/g).

    Key relationship

    h = ½gt² · v = gt

    Try this investigation

    1. Try releasing both balls at the same time. Check whether the position and speed are the same.
    2. Change the height to 10 m, 20 m, and 30 m under the Earth's gravity and run and record each.
    3. Fix the height and the two masses and compare only the gravity by changing it to the Earth and the Moon.

    Interpreting your results

    Which of the following has no effect on fall time when there is no air resistance?

    There is no mass involved in t = √(2h/g).

    Assumptions and limitations

    We placed the two balls at rest and ignored air resistance. Real feathers and stones may fall differently due to air resistance. Assume that gravity does not change with height.