You're right, the acceleration due to gravity is constant for all objects near the Earth's surface (approximately 9.8 m/s²). However, objects falling through air often experience different rates of descent because of air resistance.

Here's a breakdown:

* Gravity: This force pulls all objects downwards with the same acceleration. It doesn't care about the object's mass or shape.

* Air Resistance: This force opposes the motion of an object through the air. It depends on:

* Shape: A wider object experiences more air resistance than a streamlined one. A parachute is designed to maximize air resistance.

* Speed: The faster the object moves, the greater the air resistance.

* Surface area: Larger surface areas exposed to the air increase resistance.

* Density of the air: The denser the air, the greater the resistance.

Example:

Imagine a feather and a bowling ball.

* Gravity: Both experience the same gravitational pull.

* Air Resistance: The feather, with its large surface area and light weight, encounters significant air resistance. The bowling ball, with its streamlined shape and heavier weight, experiences much less air resistance.

Result: The feather falls slowly, its descent slowed by air resistance, while the bowling ball falls much faster.

In a vacuum: If you were to drop a feather and a bowling ball in a vacuum (where there is no air resistance), they would fall at the same rate and hit the ground simultaneously. This demonstrates that gravity is the only force acting on them in this scenario.