I am engaging in an interesting debate over at what is branded as a new 'intellectual' forum. From what I've seen several of the members are far from intellectual or informed when it comes to fundamental scientific principle. I'm hoping that my fellow DP members are slightly more in touch with reality, so I pose you this same question: Your opinions please (and yes, the question isn't even worded correctly because 9.8 m/s is a speed and not an acceleration).
a bowling ball and a penny. i'm no rocket scientist, but the ball gets there first. the ball is round so there is little drag on its progress, the penny is flat and subject to drag. just my 2 pennies worth, or is just worth 1 penny. or did i misunderstand the problem?
You understood well. The key thing, as you mentioned, is the drag - eg. the opposing frictional force to gravity. This depends on the surface area size and smoothness (for want of a better word). Lunatics across in the other place think it's to do with the weight and the density of the object. That's bollocks - scientifically speaking.
I'm sure mythbusters actually did an episode based on very similar principles using a penny and ? (I forget) The penny being light makes it vulnerable to wind drafts and slows the rate of acceleration. What if you used a bowling ball and a small lead sinker.