Do heavier objects "fall" faster?

[ae86_16v]

Okay, it is common knowledge that if you take out aerodynamic properties, Earth's gravity will exert acceleration forces of 9.8 meters per second squared (32ft/s or 22mph).

That is because Earth's gravity pulls on all objects the same regardless of the object's mass.

And since all objects do have mass (exerting gravity), wouldn't the object that is falling also "pull" on the Earth? Thus a heavier object, with more mass, and gravity will pull on Earth more than a lighter object would.

Which in turn, if you drop two objects, one light and one heavy, the heavy one would exert more gravitational force on earth, thus "fall" faster than the light object.

Mathematicians? Physicist?

[ae86_16v]

^ Consistent w/ gravitational laws.

[ae86_16v]

Originally Posted by bmw06m6 Holy Shit You have to be kidding me, well you did go to a public school I assume!

No, I am not kidding. :roll:

[ae86_16v]

Originally Posted by bmw06m6 I don't like Wikipedia (because it is grossly just plain wrong most the time) but what the hey.... Newton's Law of Motion 101, something a private christian school teaches to first graders. My niece who is 7 understand this stuff. No offence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton's_laws_of_motion

Thank you for bring that up. . .

According to Newton's 3rd Law, the Earth itself experiences an equal and opposite force to that acting on the falling object, meaning that the Earth also accelerates towards the object.

[Minacious]

No, a heavier object will not fall faster.

[ae86_16v]

Again, I just pointed out Newton's 3rd Law.

Or since you "always understood this stuff", please explain Newton's 3rd Law and how it does not apply.

[alanw89]

Feather & Hammer Drop on Moon - YouTube

Feather & Hammer Drop on Moon - YouTube

I remember last year this was explained in my physics class but ive forgotten the equations already

[nthfinity]

the heavier object exerts an equal pull on the earth as the earth does on it, which the earth will pull the heavier object more then the lighter object.

they will both fall at the same speed

[ae86_16v]

^ I know about the experiment in the vacuum tube as well, but I ask again, does this mean that Newton's 3rd Law is wrong?

[ae86_16v]

Originally Posted by nthfinity the heavier object exerts an equal pull on the earth as the earth does on it, which the earth will pull the heavier object more then the lighter object. they will both fall at the same speed

Correct, which is why the heavier object since it has more "pull" not fall faster?

By the way BMW06 no "offence" taken. Just trying to see if you could explain it to me, or maybe you should read that Wikipedia link you posted. Since "a 7 year old could understand it."

[nthfinity]

man, your missing the point.

this is a simple pendulum test here

AE86, tie some string with some fishing weights at the end, then do the same, except a string that is longer; then the same with two more strings to = the lenghts of the other two, but each with more mass. observe pendulums can actually be used to measure gravity

[ae86_16v]

Originally Posted by bmw06m6 Originally Posted by ae86_16v Again, I just pointed out Newton's 3rd Law. Or since you "always understood this stuff", please explain Newton's 3rd Law and how it does not apply. Because unless you apply a force to say object A unto B how is B or A going to move faster, here is an example. You know those ball pendulums... . . . See simple, picture moving these in you're head and you'll understand. Better yet go buy one of these and study it.

The force is gravity.

[Stoopie]

Only thing I know is that when I jump in the air, I usually return safely to planet earth

[ae86_16v]

Originally Posted by bmw06m6 Originally Posted by ae86_16v Again, I just pointed out Newton's 3rd Law. Or since you "always understood this stuff", please explain Newton's 3rd Law and how it does not apply. Because unless you apply a force to say object A unto B how is B or A going to move faster, here is an example. You know those ball pendulums... When you pull ball A back and it hits Ball B, C, D, E and finally F which ends up flying back up in the air in the opposite direction. The force asserted on ball B from A ball B reacts by hitting ball C not without reacting back to ball A which causes it to stop. See simple, picture moving these in you're head and you'll understand. Better yet go buy one of these and study it.

http://www.school-for-champions.com/...ons_cradle.htm

By the way, this is The Law of Conservation of Momentum, not gravity.

[ae86_16v]

Originally Posted by Stoopie Only thing I know is that when I jump in the air, I usually return safely to planet earth

Unless you got those new Nike Air Jordans, those make you jump really high .