A Comparison Between Two Falling Balls
The Scenario
A student throws a heavy red ball horizontally from a balcony of a tall building with an initial speed v0. At the same time, a second student drops a lighter blue ball from the same balcony. Neglecting air resistance, which statement is true?
The Options
- The blue ball reaches the ground first.
- The balls reach the ground at the same instant.
- The red ball reaches the ground first.
- Both balls hit the ground with the same speed.
- None of the above statements is true.
Without air resistance, both balls reach the ground at the same instant. Neither horizontal motion nor weight affects vertical motion.