Does gravity pulls all things down at the same speed? Let’s check it out in this experiment.
Things Required:
Paper
Book larger than the paper
Directions:
Hold the paper in one hand and the book in the other. Drop the book and the paper at the same time. Observe the paper and book as they fall and strike the floor. Place the paper on top of the book. Do not have any of the paper hanging over the edges of the book. Hold the book waist-high and drop it. Observe the paper and book as they fall and strike the floor.
This Is What Happens:
The book hits the floor before the paper when they are dropped separately. When the paper is on top of the book, it falls with the book, and both-book and paper- land at the same time.
Science Behind It:
When the paper is lying on the book, the objects fall together because gravity equally pulls on both objects. Air pushing up against an object slows the speed of the falling object. The speed of the book is not changed much because its weight (downward force) overcomes the upward force of the air. The weight of paper equals the upward force of the air. Therefore, it falls at a slower speed.
