Eloise is standing on a cliff looking out at the horizon. She tosses a feather and a rock straight out from the cliff edge at the same time. What does Eloise observe about the paths of the feather and the rock as they fall? Provide a very brief response.
Eloise observes the rock falling straight down toward the base of the cliff relatively quickly because of its higher mass and resistance to air drag. The feather, on the other hand, floats and drifts erratically, following a more unpredictable path as it is caught in the air currents because it is lighter and has more surface area relative to its weight, making it more susceptible to being influenced by the wind. The rock and feather do not land at the same time; the rock reaches the ground first, while the feather takes longer, drifting away as it descends slowly.