2007-01-29 12:38:22 · 18 answers · asked by tammylgoolsby@sbcglobal.net 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Water is a more viscous fluid than air.
2007-01-29 12:41:16 · answer #1 · answered by feanor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
water is denser than air - the object falls through the air at a certain speed, then hits the surface of the water and makes it's way through the molecules in a much slower and random fashion. If it's flat, it will even sink slower and when it hits the water it will appear to actually "float" while it's being suspended temporarily by the water.
2007-01-29 20:45:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's due to a couple of reasons. The main constant for a freely falling object is the constant, increasing rate of 9.8m/sec^2. Objects keep falling at this increasing rate until they reach their terminal velocity. The other principal is that of inertia, an object in motion stays in motion until acted upon by on outside force. Once the freely falling object hits the water, it's falling rate changes due to tension upon the surface layer of the water. Think of it like diving off of a diving board. Once you jump, your speed keeps increasing as you approach the water. If you dive in perfectly, you are purposely displacing the water by keeping a straight line, and entering the water at a high speed. If however you land on your back or stomach, the water tension is much greater due to a larger area of impact.
2007-01-29 20:59:09 · answer #3 · answered by Christopher C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because water is more dense than air. If the object were to hit a layer of Mercury below the water, it would decellerate even more rapidly.
2007-01-29 20:52:21 · answer #4 · answered by Cyrus A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because,air offers less resistance to the object than the water.
2007-01-29 20:46:48 · answer #5 · answered by vanpandy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The object slows down when it hits water because some of the kinetic energy is used to break the surface tension of the water.The Hydrogen bonding that water exhibits dosen't like to be broken and it takes alot of energy to accomplish this task.
2007-01-29 20:45:39 · answer #6 · answered by MONTANASYN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water creates a lot more resistance than air. Just think about how fast you can run until you hit a wall - the wall is a lot more dense and it takes more energy to be able to move through it.
2007-01-29 20:42:12 · answer #7 · answered by jax 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of how dense the water is, compared to the air. The water slows the object down.
2007-01-29 20:41:56 · answer #8 · answered by DnBprincess850 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
both water and air are 'fluids', but because water has a much higher viscosity, the object isn't perceptible slowed down by the air or water resistance until it hits the water.
2007-01-29 22:26:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is actually accelerating (falling more and more quickly) until it hits the water... then the water pushes back a lot more than the air.
2007-01-29 20:42:48 · answer #10 · answered by justr 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋