Why will a sheet of paper fall slower than one that is crumpled into a ball?

– Shape and Air Resistance: The difference in falling speed between a crumpled ball and a flat sheet of paper is due to their shapes and the impact of air resistance.

– Air Resistance and Falling Objects: Air resistance is the force that opposes the motion of objects as they move through the air. Objects falling through the air experience this resistance, affecting their descent speed.

– Crumpled Ball’s Advantage: A crumpled ball has a more irregular and compact shape compared to a flat sheet of paper. This shape allows the air to flow around it more smoothly, resulting in less air resistance when it falls.

– Sheet’s Air Resistance: Conversely, a flat sheet of paper has a larger surface area and a more streamlined shape. As it falls, it encounters more air resistance due to its greater surface area catching more air.

– Effect on Falling Speed: The reduced air resistance experienced by the crumpled ball enables it to fall faster than the sheet of paper. With less resistance hindering its descent, the crumpled ball moves more freely through the air and accelerates faster downward.

– Conclusion: The difference in shape between the crumpled ball and the flat sheet affects the amount of air resistance each encounters during their fall. As a result, the crumpled ball falls faster due to its reduced air resistance, while the sheet of paper falls more slowly due to encountering greater air resistance caused by its larger surface area.