People often think that Galileo dropped two objects of dramatically different mass off of the Leaning Tower of Pisa that both hit the ground at the same time. Explain why in reality this was most likely not true.

Question

Physics

Jamar Frank

26 June, 19:59

People often think that Galileo dropped two objects of dramatically different mass off of the Leaning Tower of Pisa that both hit the ground at the same time. Explain why in reality this was most likely not true.

+5

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Kaufman · Answer 1

Answer: because of air resistance. See explanation for further details.

Explanation: Galileo performed an experiment to proof that the time of descent of two different masses is independent of time.

But in reality this is most likely not true because of air resistance and other fluid frictional effects in consideration.

If the experiment is performed in a vacuum, it will always be true that time is independent of masses of two falling objects.