I have a question....

[jessecwalters]

So me and my wife are arguing about something. We were watching something and she says, something of a higher mass (weight) will have a higher max velocity then something of a smaller weight, basically meaning it will hit the ground first. I say they will both hit the ground at damn near the same time, because gravity pulls things down at the same speed. Obviously something like a feather isnt going to fall as fast. so vote who you agree with. Multiple choice is available.

[MidgetTodd]

Either way your fooked when you hit the ground so why does it matter who gets smashed first. And second just let her win, your evening will be easier that way.

[Dubguy85]

So me and my wife are arguing about something. We were watching something and she says, something of a higher mass (weight) will have a higher max velocity then something of a smaller weight, basically meaning it will hit the ground first. I say they will both hit the ground at damn near the same time, because gravity pulls things down at the same speed. Obviously something like a feather isnt going to fall as fast. so vote who you agree with. Multiple choice is available.

You kinda are both right

no air resistance is present, the rate of descent depends only on how far the object has fallen, no matter how heavy the object is. This means that two objects will reach the ground at the same time if they are dropped simultaneously from the same height. This statement follows from the law of conservation of energy and has been demonstrated experimentally by dropping a feather and a lead ball in an airless tube.

When air resistance plays a role, the shape of the object becomes important. In air, a feather and a ball do not fall at the same rate. In the case of a pen and a bowling ball air resistance is small compared to the force a gravity that pulls them to the ground. Therefore, if you drop a pen and a bowling ball you could probably not tell which of the two reached the ground first unless you dropped them from a very very high tower.

[Dustinkz1000]

The woman is always wrong. You should punch her in the uterus...and tell her so.

[Vulcan_Rider]

The items will have the same maximum velocity however the heavier object will reach maximum velocity faster. Its a wash you are both right and both wrong, so basically since you are the male, you are wrong.

[Likwid]

There are SO many physics things going on right now that you can't accurately answer the question without all the information. terminal velocity is a factor that is important, as well as wind resistance.

But either way, you're NEVER going to be right with your woman... apologize now and let it go.

Several years ago my wife and I got into an argument about hot water freezing faster than cold water... I was on the RIGHT side (hot water freezes faster)... ended up being ugly and doesn't matter how much proof and studies I quoted, she was mad....

You can't prove a woman wrong without consequences.

[jessecwalters]

The woman is always wrong. You should punch her in the uterus...and tell her so.

I wanted to Haha. And I knew i wasnt completely right, but i feel more right then her. i guess

Edited February 15, 2010 by jessecwalters

[jagr]

Tell her she's right then ask for some MP.

[ohdaho]

Most answers in this post are full of engineering fail.

What exactly are you arguing? Yes she is right...more mass = higher Vmax. Assuming two objects have equal Cd and frontal area in the same atmosphere.

Terminal Velocity occurs when D = W = m*g, drag and weight.

Drag equation => D= .5*rho*V^2*Cd*A

Then you can calculate Vmax.

You can see a larger mass object will have a higher Vmax assuming everything else is constant.

Edited February 15, 2010 by ohdaho

[chevysoldier]

Most answers in this post are full of engineering fail.

What exactly are you arguing? Yes she is right...more mass = higher Vmax. Assuming two objects have equal Cd and frontal area in the same atmosphere.

Terminal Velocity occurs when D = W = m*g, drag and weight.

Drag equation => D= .5*rho*V^2*Cd*A

Then you can calculate Vmax.

You can see a larger mass object will have a higher Vmax assuming everything else is constant.

That's what I was gonna say but you beat me to it.

[jbot]

a quick lesson in pictures

and this pretty much sums up my life:

[Victory ryder]

Just ask her to explain which is heavier,

a ton of bricks or a ton of feathers.

[jeremygsxr]

I say tell her to lead by example. Let her and her fattest friend jump off a cliff at the same time and we'll see which one lands first.

[Todd#43]

You can't prove a woman wrong without consequences.

Forty-six years of living and three different wives taught me that the above statement is an undeniable truth of life.

'nuff said.

[magley64]

you'd be right if ther was no air resistance. she's right if they have the same air resistance (2 objects with same volume/shape/profile etc) and you're both missing the point if neither are the case.

Edited February 16, 2010 by magley64

[DangBruhY]

No one mentioned how far the fall would be. There would have to be enough of a drop for the objects to reach terminal velocity.

[jessecwalters]

Haha we both settled on the "were both right". I like some of the pics and stuff though.

Just ask her to explain which is heavier,

a ton of bricks or a ton of feathers.

she would fail... I will ask though.