Question

Spherical insulating ball and a spherical metallic ball of same size and mass are dropped from the same height Choose the correct statement out of the following (Assume negligible air friction)

• A. Both will reach the earth's surface simultaneously.
• B. Insulating ball will reach the earth's surface earlier than the metal ball
• C. Metal ball will reach the earth's surface earlier than the insulating ball
• D. Time taken by them to reach the earth's surface will be independent of the properties of their materials

Hint:

The metal ball experiences a force due to induced currents when passing through the magnetic field, which makes it slower compared to the insulating ball.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To solve this problem, we need to consider the motion of both the spherical insulating ball and the spherical metallic ball under the influence of gravity.

Key Concept: When objects are in free fall, their accelerations due to gravity are the same, assuming negligible air resistance. The acceleration is independent of their mass and material.

Given that both balls are dropped from the same height and considering negligible air friction, the time taken to reach the Earth's surface for any object dropped solely under gravity is determined by its initial height and the acceleration due to gravity (\(g \approx 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2\)).

1. Common Misconception: The given correct answer suggests that the insulating ball would reach the surface earlier than the metal ball. However, based on physics principles, both should hit the ground simultaneously under ideal conditions.
2. The option stating, "Both will reach the earth's surface simultaneously," aligns with the principles of physics as mass and material do not affect the falling time when neglecting air resistance.
3. The statement, "Time taken by them to reach the earth's surface will be independent of the properties of their materials," provides the theoretical backing for why they should fall together:
   • Ignoring air resistance, all objects experience the same gravitational acceleration.
   • Their masses and material types do not impact the acceleration under gravity.

Conclusion: The statement "Both will reach the earth's surface simultaneously" is the correct answer based on the physics of free-fall motion under gravity, not the statement provided as the correct answer in the question context.