Question by Ben “Dover” Littlemore: Science/physics help!?
So, in class I did an experiment which was based around gravity, and now I don’t know what to write in my conclusion, because when I search the experiment on the internet, it tells me about air resistance. The experiment was dropping a golf ball, cork and feather at the same height. I have to explain why the feather takes longer to reach the ground than the golf ball. But also if the fans and windows are shut in the classroom, is there still air resistance?
Thanks in advance, please help quick!
Best answer:
Answer by Bad Brain Punk
There might not be air currents, but there is still air so there is air resistance. Air resistance is the result of an object running into the gas molecules in the air.
All three objects are accelerated at the same rate by gravity. But they are not affected the same way the resistance of the air. Both the golf cart and the cork are dense enough that they simply push the air molecules aside and fall at nearly the full acceleration. The feather is light and, well, feathery, and so the air molecules resist it more effectively cause it to flutter and fall more slowly.
HTH.
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