If a pencil and a bowling ball were dropped from 25,000 ft which would hit the ground first?

Answer 1

The bowling ball. Since you were not specific in how you were going to get 25,000 feet above the ground, I am going to assume that you are on top of the Pacific Ocean. The ball will sink into the depths around the Marianis Trench and hit the ground some 4 1/2 miles underwater. The pencil will float on the surface until it gets waterlogged. It may sink but it will be much later than the ball.

What will those fish do with a bowling ball anyway? Bowling pins will float.

Answer 2

The bowling ball.

From 25,000 ft both will encounter variations in atmospheric conditions, such as pressure, winds, moisture, etc. Although both objects are equally affected by gravity, per Newton, the pencil will be more greatly affected by these atmospheric variables. The bowling ball, by virtue of its greater mass, will be less affected. For example, an updraft that would 'float' a pencil won't have much affect on a bowling ball.

A possible exception might be a downdraft, wind sheer or micro burst, giving the pencil the advantage.

Answer 3

By saying that it's being dropped from 25,000ft, I'm assuming that you would like the effects of the earth (wind, air resistance) to be a factor. If this is the case then the bowling ball would win by a long shot. The mass is much greater than the pencil and therefore would be able to "cut" through the air resistance much better. Hope it helps.

Answer 4

Most likely the bowling ball, not because it is heavier, but because it is more dense than the wood and graphite in a pencil, The pencil would be more affected by air resistance. In a perfect vacuum, both would hit the ground at the same time.

Answer 5

well...........in a vacuum. THey hit the ground at the same time. However, in realistic circumstances, the bowling ball would hit the ground first becuase the terminal velocity of a bowling ball is higher than that of a pencil.

even in a vacuum the bowling ball would hit slightly first becuase the bowling ball has more mass than the pencil and gravity depends on both masses

Answer 6

It depends which one you dropped first. If you dropped the pencil then waited an hour to drop the bowling ball, the pencil would hit the ground first. Is the pencil sharpened? =)
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Answer 7

Depends, if the ball and pencil are in a vacuum then they would hit at the same time, if not the ball would because of less wind resistance.

Answer 8

Dropped from similar perfect= both will hit the floor first. Dropped from similar centers of Gravity= Bowling ball, because it really is way better and could beat it purely by its length.

Answer 9

the pencil
things of different mass fall at the same rate and land at the sametime from the same height. The difference here is that the pencil is more aerodynamic so if the pencil were dropped strait point down the pencil will land first

Answer 10

Which ever has the highest terminal velocity, or least air resistance. Due to it's uniform and more aerodynamic shape, my guess is the bowling ball.