Competency #11
Answer and Explanation
Belief: Heavier objects always fall faster than lighter objects.
Which of the evidence statements below support this belief? Which pieces of evidence conflict with this belief? (Put check in the appropriate box next to each.)
Answer:
| Supports | Conflicts | Evidence Statements |
|---|---|---|
| X | 1: A crumpled piece of paper falls with a faster motion than a piece of flat paper, when dropped from a height of 3 feet. | |
| X | 2: A crumpled piece of paper and a baseball, dropped from a height of 3 feet fall with the same motion. | |
| X | 3: A textbook falls with a faster motion than a flat piece of paper, when dropped side-by-side from a height of 3 feet. |
Based on this evidence, should the belief be changed?
Absolutely! The experiment with the crumpled paper and the baseball is a simple, repeatable experiment with no bias or trickery. Even though just one piece of evidence conflicts, the belief should be changed to accommodate this evidence.
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