dropping balls

[Rafi A]

Originally Posted by RogerR

cross winds would have a more dramatic effect on the lighter of the two balls, and therefore wouldn't affect which one would reach the ground first. now if there was a powerful enough downdraft, and it was a relativly short drop, maybe the lighter of the two would hit the ground first.

Put simply: horizontal components of projectile motion act independantly of vertical components.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by Joshua May

Although B may be wrong, I don't know if the air resistance varies due to density and weight. If they don't factor, then it's the same because both balls have the same size, shape, and surface.

Air resistance doesn't vary with weight or density. However, the lead ball still hits first.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by FizMan

Can you link us to this 100 post thread on the other forum?

I will once things have died down here

[Adam Y.]

Put simply: horizontal components of projectile motion act independantly of vertical component

Ummm... Not neccessairly. I was thinking of the myth of dropping a penny off the empire state building. The wind from the top of the building actually forces the penny to the side of building thus slowing it down. Im not sure how it would affect a larger object such as a ball but if it is strong enough to forceit up against the building then yes it will have an effect.