Gravity Unit Test

Question

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Question
A coin (5 grams), a small parachute (21 grams), and a hammer (710 grams) are all dropped from a height of 10 meters. The coin and the hammer take about the same amount of time to fall. Which statement describes the time it takes for the parachute to fall?(1 point)
Responses

It takes less time to fall because it has the least mass.
It takes less time to fall because it has the least mass.

It takes less time to fall because it has the most surface area.
It takes less time to fall because it has the most surface area.

It takes the same amount of time to fall because the effect of gravity is the same.
It takes the same amount of time to fall because the effect of gravity is the same.

It takes longer to fall because it experiences greater air resistance.

Answer 1

The most accurate statement that describes the time it takes for the parachute to fall is:

It takes longer to fall because it experiences greater air resistance.

The parachute has a larger surface area compared to the coin and the hammer, which significantly increases air resistance. This means that, while all objects fall at the same rate in a vacuum due to gravity, the parachute's design causes it to fall more slowly through the air compared to the heavier coin and hammer, which experience less air resistance relative to their weight.