Question

During a football game, a student accidentally knocks similar gym bags, one empty and one full of shoes and clothes, off the back of the bleachers. If there is no air resistance, which bag will hit the ground first?(5 points)
Responses

The full bag will hit the ground first.
The full bag will hit the ground first.

The empty bag will hit the ground first.
The empty bag will hit the ground first.

They will both hit the ground at the same time.
They will both hit the ground at the same time.

This cannot be determined because the dimensions of the bags are needed.

Answer 1

They will both hit the ground at the same time.

Reason: without air resistance, acceleration due to gravity is the same for all masses (a = g). Even though the full bag feels a larger weight, its larger mass gives the same acceleration (F = ma → mg = ma → a = g).