Use the table to complete the activity.
Rock Mass (kg)
Y 3
Z 6
A student drops two rocks from the same height and records how long it takes them to fall to the ground. Their masses are shown in the table. In 3–5 sentences, explain how gravity, mass, and air resistance would determine the fall of the two rocks.
The time it takes for an object to fall to the ground is determined by the force of gravity acting on that object. Gravity is a force of attraction between two objects with mass, which in this case is the rocks and the Earth. The greater the mass of an object, the greater the force of gravity acting on it, and therefore the faster it falls. In this scenario, rock Z has a greater mass than rock Y, so it will fall faster due to the greater force of gravity acting on it.
Air resistance also plays a role in the fall of objects. As objects fall through the air, they experience air resistance, which is a force that opposes the motion of the object. The larger the surface area of an object, the greater the air resistance it will experience. In this case, because rock Z has a larger mass compared to rock Y, it is likely to also have a larger surface area, which means it will experience more air resistance. This additional air resistance may slow down the fall of rock Z compared to rock Y.
Therefore, in conclusion, the fall of the two rocks will be determined by a combination of gravity, mass, and air resistance. Rock Z will fall faster due to its greater mass and the resulting stronger force of gravity acting on it, but it may experience more air resistance, which could potentially slow down its fall compared to rock Y.