A 12 pound shot put and a small metal BB are dropped from a tall tower, inside a vacuum chamber,
and into a deep pool. Compare how the objects fall in these three scenarios.
In order to compare how the objects fall in these three scenarios, we need to consider a few key factors: the weight of the objects, the presence or absence of air resistance, and the medium they are falling into (vacuum chamber or pool).
1. In a regular environment (without a vacuum or pool), both objects, the 12-pound shot put, and the small metal BB, will experience the force of gravity and air resistance. The shot put being heavier will experience a greater gravitational force than the small metal BB. However, due to its larger surface area, the shot put will also experience a greater air resistance force compared to the small BB.
2. In a vacuum chamber, there is no air resistance since the chamber is emptied of air. In this scenario, both objects will experience only the force of gravity. According to Newton's second law of motion (F = ma), the force of gravity acting on an object is directly proportional to its mass (weight). Therefore, the 12-pound shot put will experience a greater gravitational force than the small BB, causing it to fall faster.
3. When both objects are dropped into a deep pool, the behavior is slightly different. The presence of water creates a buoyant force, which opposes the force of gravity. This buoyant force is greater for the 12-pound shot put due to its larger volume when compared to the small metal BB. Consequently, the shot put will experience a greater upward force, which will slow down its descent compared to the small BB.
In summary, in a regular environment without a vacuum or pool, the shot put and BB will fall at different rates due to their different weights and air resistance. In a vacuum chamber, the shot put will fall faster than the BB due to its greater weight. In a pool, the shot put will descend slower than the BB due to the buoyant force provided by the water.