How does gravity make things fall at the same rate in a vacuum?
Quick Answer
In a vacuum, gravity accelerates all objects equally, regardless of mass, if air resistance is removed. That means a feather and a hammer can hit the ground together.
The Full Story
In a vacuum, the only major force acting on falling objects is gravity, which gives all masses the same acceleration near Earth’s surface: about 9.8 m/s². Heavier objects do not fall faster just because they are heavier. The difference people usually see is caused by air resistance, which slows light, broad, or fluffy objects much more than compact ones. This was dramatically demonstrated on the Moon in 1971 during Apollo 15, when astronaut David Scott dropped a hammer and a feather and they landed at the same time. The result matches the principle of equivalence, a key idea in physics.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"Hammer and feather: why they fall together in space"
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