ASVAB · Force and Motion

Two objects are dropped from the same height at the same time, one heavier than the other. Ignoring air resistance, which hits the ground first?

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Correct answer

They hit at the same time

A The heavier object
B They hit at the same time
C Neither falls
D The lighter object

Why this is the answer

Ignoring air resistance, all objects fall with the same acceleration due to gravity (about 9.8 m/s²) regardless of their mass, so two objects dropped from the same height at the same time hit the ground at the same moment. This famous principle means a heavy ball and a light ball fall together in a vacuum. In real life, air resistance can slow lighter or less dense objects (like a feather), but the question specifies ignoring air resistance. Understanding that gravity accelerates all masses equally is a classic force-and-motion concept on the Mechanical Comprehension subtest.

Source: ASVAB MC, Gravity and Falling Objects

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About this topic: Force and Motion

Force and motion questions cover Newton's laws, friction, gravity, acceleration and momentum, usually as pictures of objects being pushed, pulled, dropped or balanced. Identify every force acting before deciding what the object will do. This is one of 13 Mechanical Comprehension questions on force and motion, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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Two objects are dropped from the same height at the same time, one heavier than the other. Ignoring air resistance, which hits the ground first?

Why this is the answer

Practice more questions

About this topic: Force and Motion

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