Resolving the Gravity Paradox: Why Heavy Objects Don't Fall Faster

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This physics video addresses a common student paradox regarding gravity: if the force of gravity depends on an object's mass, why do all objects fall with the same acceleration regardless of their weight? The video begins by defining a paradox and setting up the conflict between the observation that acceleration is constant (9.8 m/s²) and the Law of Universal Gravitation which includes mass as a variable. The content moves from a conceptual discussion to a mathematical proof using Newton's Second Law and the Law of Universal Gravitation. Through step-by-step algebraic derivation, the narrator demonstrates how the mass of the falling object cancels out of the equation, leaving acceleration dependent only on the mass and radius of the planet. The video also applies this logic to calculate the gravitational acceleration on the Moon. This resource is highly valuable for high school physics classrooms as it bridges the gap between conceptual understanding and mathematical application. It directly addresses a specific cognitive conflict that many students face when learning Newton's laws. Teachers can use this video to model problem-solving strategies, reinforce algebraic substitution in physics, and visually demonstrate why "heavy" objects do not fall faster than "light" ones in a vacuum.