Falling in Two Tubes

In the picture

1. 1Badge 1 sits on the white feather at mid-height in the sealed left tube.
2. 2Badge 2 sits on the gray lead ball at mid-height in the sealed left tube.
3. 3Badge 3 sits on the gray lead ball near the bottom of the open right tube.
4. 4Badge 4 sits on the white feather near the top of the open right tube.

Examples

• A flat sheet of paper falls more slowly than the same sheet crumpled into a ball.
• A parachute slows a skydiver by catching air.

Quiz: Falling in Two Tubes (Age 13)

1. 1

   With no air resistance, how does gravity make objects of different mass fall?

   • All objects speed up at the same rate, regardless of mass.
   • Heavier objects speed up more than lighter objects.
   • Lighter objects speed up more than heavier objects.
2. 2

   In normal air, why does a feather usually fall more slowly than a lead ball?

   • Air resistance slows the feather more than the lead ball.
   • Gravity pulls the feather less because it is light.
   • The feather is too light for gravity to pull it down.
3. 3

   Two balls have the same shape and size, but one is heavy and one is light. They are dropped in air. What is true?

   • The heavy ball lands first because air resistance slows the light ball more.
   • They land at exactly the same time because gravity ignores mass.
   • The light ball lands first because it is easier to push through air.

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.