A nickel and a sheet of paper, which have approximately the same mass, are dropped at the same time from the same height. The nickel will reach the ground first. Which statement best explains this result?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The force of gravity acts more strongly on the sheet of paper than on the nickel.
The force of gravity acts more strongly on the sheet of paper than on the nickel.

The force of gravity acts more strongly on the nickel than on the sheet of paper.
The force of gravity acts more strongly on the nickel than on the sheet of paper.

The force of air resistance acts more strongly on the nickel than on the sheet of paper.
The force of air resistance acts more strongly on the nickel than on the sheet of paper.

The force of air resistance acts more strongly on the sheet of paper than on the nickel.

Answer 1

The statement that best explains why the nickel will reach the ground first is:

The force of air resistance acts more strongly on the sheet of paper than on the nickel.

This is because the sheet of paper has a larger surface area relative to its mass, which causes it to experience greater air resistance as it falls compared to the nickel. As a result, the nickel, being denser and more compact, falls faster and reaches the ground first.