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Question
Gravitational force acts on all objects in proportion to their masses. Why then, a heavy object does not fall faster than a light object?
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Solution
Gravitational force affects all objects in proportion to their mass. However, a heavier object does not fall quicker than a lighter object. This is due to the following:
`"Acceleration" = "Force"/"Mass"`
or Force = Acceleration × Mass
As force is directly proportional to mass, acceleration is constant for a body of any mass.
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1) Complete the following statement by choosing the right option.
The stone held in the hand is stable because on it __.
- two unbalanced forces are exerted.
- only the gravitational force of the earth is exerted.
- gravitational force of the earth is not exerted.
- two balanced forces are exerted.
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5) Why does free fall happen only in a vacuum?
