Question

which statement best compares the accelerations of two objects in free fall?
the heavier object has a greater acceleration.
the object that has the greater surface area has the lower acceleration.
the object that has the smaller mass has the greater acceleration.
the objects have the same acceleration.

Explanation:

In the absence of air - resistance (free - fall), all objects near the Earth's surface accelerate at the same rate, approximately $g = 9.8\ m/s^{2}$, regardless of their mass, weight, or surface area. This is based on Newton's second law $F = ma$ and the universal law of gravitation $F=\frac{GMm}{r^{2}}$. When combined, we get $a=\frac{GM}{r^{2}}$, which is independent of the mass of the falling object.

Answer:

The objects have the same acceleration.