If two objects are in free fall from the same height, how do their times to reach the ground compare?

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Enhance your knowledge for the ASU PHY101 Exam. Prepare with multiple choice questions, flashcards, and explanations. Get exam ready with ease!

When two objects are in free fall from the same height, they are both acted upon solely by the force of gravity, assuming there is no air resistance affecting their motion. According to the principles of physics, specifically Galileo's experiments, all objects, regardless of their mass, will accelerate at the same rate due to gravity, which is approximately 9.81 m/s² on the surface of the Earth.

This means that both objects will experience the same gravitational pull and will therefore fall at the same rate. Consequently, when dropped simultaneously from the same height, they will reach the ground at the same time. Their journey to the ground will be identical in terms of duration, leading to the conclusion that they will fall at the same time. This is a fundamental aspect of gravitational physics that holds true as long as air resistance is negligible.

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