When an object is dropped on Earth, it experiences several forces acting upon it, such as gravity, air resistance, and friction. Gravity pulls the object towards the center of the Earth, while air resistance and friction oppose the motion and gradually slow it down. This combination of forces causes the object to accelerate towards the ground until it reaches a terminal velocity, where the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity. As a result, the object falls at a gradually decreasing speed.
On the other hand, in space, there is almost no atmosphere or air resistance, and thus no friction. As a result, there is no force to counteract the gravitational pull acting on the object. Therefore, in the absence of air resistance, an object dropped in space would continue to accelerate towards the nearest massive object due to gravity indefinitely, until it collides with that object or some other force acts upon it.
In summary, the key difference between an object dropped on Earth and an object dropped in space is the presence or absence of air resistance, which significantly impacts the motion of the falling object.
How does an object dropped on earth compare to an object dropped in space? Why are these two falls different?
3 answers
give me a 2 sentence version
An object dropped on Earth experiences gravity, air resistance, and friction, causing it to gradually fall at a decreasing speed. In space, without air resistance, an object dropped continues to accelerate towards the nearest massive object indefinitely.