Analyzing Gravitational Data Quick Check

Question

2 of 42 of 4 Items
Question
A shoe and a shirt are released from the same height. They take different amounts of time to fall to the ground. How can this be explained?(1 point)
Responses

The masses of the two objects are the same, but they are affected differently by air resistance.
The masses of the two objects are the same, but they are affected differently by air resistance.

The difference in weight doesn't affect the time, but they are affected differently by air resistance.
The difference in weight doesn't affect the time, but they are affected differently by air resistance.

The weight is equal on the two objects, but there is more air resistance on the shoe.
The weight is equal on the two objects, but there is more air resistance on the shoe.

The weight is greater on the shoe than on the shirt, but there is equal air resistance on the objects.

Answer 1

The best explanation for the different amounts of time it takes for a shoe and a shirt to fall to the ground, when released from the same height, is:

The difference in weight doesn't affect the time, but they are affected differently by air resistance.

This is because while both objects are subject to the same acceleration due to gravity, their shapes and materials cause them to experience different amounts of air resistance as they fall. The shirt, being lighter and typically having a larger surface area relative to its weight, is more affected by air resistance than the shoe, resulting in a longer time to fall.