A stone and a feather are dropped from the same height above the earth surface. Ignoring air resistance, which of the following is correct?

Step 1: Analyze the question A stone and a feather are dropped from the same height, and we are told to ignore air resistance. We need to decide which one lands first.

Step 2: The concept Near the earth's surface, every freely falling object has the same acceleration due to gravity, g ≈ 10 m/s² (or 9.8 m/s²). This acceleration does not depend on mass.

Newton's second law shows why:

• Weight = mg (the force pulling the object down)
• F = ma, so ma = mg
• The mass cancels: a = g

A heavier object feels a bigger pull, but it also has more inertia, so the two effects cancel exactly.

Step 3: Solution Both objects start from rest (u = 0) and fall through the same height h.

Using s = ut + ½gt²:

h = ½gt²

t = √(2h/g)

The time depends only on h and g. Mass does not appear. Since h and g are the same for both objects, the times are equal.

Step 4: Check the options

• A: Wrong. Wind is a form of air effect, which we are told to ignore.
• B: Correct. Both reach the ground at the same time.
• C: Wrong. The feather has no advantage.
• D: Wrong. The stone is only faster in real life because air resistance slows the feather. Without air resistance, there is no difference.

Answer: B

Tip: Whenever a question says "ignore air resistance" or "in a vacuum," all objects fall with the same acceleration, so they land together. Remember: time of fall depends on height and g, never on mass. This was famously demonstrated on the Moon by Apollo 15 astronaut David Scott, who dropped a hammer and a feather and saw them land together.