Why do all objects hit with the same velocity (ignoring air resistance) if dropped from the same height? a) acceleration due to gravity affects heavier objects less, and lighter objects more, therefore it balances out the effect of weight. b) the mass of an object is in a state of change as it falls since it becomes closer to the center of the earth and therefore is affected by the acceleration due to gravity the same. c) acceleration due to gravity affects all bodies the same since it depends primarily on the gravity of the planet, not on the object being dropped. d) none of the above

C)Acceleration due to gravity affects all bodies the same since it depends primarily on the gravity of the planet, not on the object being dropped.

Explanation:

Using equation of motion,

where v= final velocity , u= initial velocity , h= height from where object is dropped ,acceleration due to gravity ,

G= universal gravitational constant, M=mass of planet , R= radius of planet

Therefore g depends on mass and radius of planet .

=>If all objects are dropped from same height with zero initial speed the final speed depends only on acceleration due to gravity which is a property of planet taken into consideration and does not depend on the object.

For example if a piece of paper and a heavy stone are dropped from the same height with zero initial speed then both objects will have same final speed .

at positions a, g kinetic energy is maximum.

at position d, potential energy is maximum.