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

Hint:

In the absence of air resistance, all objects fall at the same rate regardless of their mass or material.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Analyzing the Motion of the Balls
In a vacuum, where air friction is absent as per the problem statement, the time it takes for an object to reach the ground is independent of its mass or composition. This is a fundamental principle of physics, stating that all objects near the Earth's surface experience the same gravitational acceleration.
Because gravitational acceleration is uniform for all objects, both the insulating and metallic balls will be subjected to the same gravitational force and will accelerate downwards identically.
Step 2: Conclusion
Given that both balls are identical in size and mass, and air resistance is negligible, they will arrive at the Earth's surface concurrently.Final Answer: The insulating ball and the metallic ball will reach the earth's surface at the same time.