Why do all objects fall at the exact same speed?
In short: In a vacuum, a feather and a hammer hit the ground simultaneously. This video explores the physics of free fall and why gravity acts on all objects with a constant acceleration.
When objects fall near Earth's surface without air resistance, they accelerate at a consistent rate of 9.81 m/s/s. This phenomenon occurs because an object's resistance to motion is perfectly balanced by its gravitational attraction.
While gravity exerts a force on these objects, they appear weightless during descent because they lack a normal force pushing back up against them.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Falling objects | Physics | Khan Academy
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