* Gravity is the Key: The time it takes for an object to fall to the ground is determined by the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²) and the initial vertical velocity.
* Horizontal Velocity Doesn't Matter: The horizontal velocity only affects how far the object travels horizontally. It has no influence on the vertical motion, and therefore no influence on how long it takes to fall.
Think of it this way:
Imagine two balls are thrown from the same height. One is thrown horizontally, and the other is thrown straight down. The ball thrown straight down will obviously hit the ground first. However, the ball thrown horizontally will also fall vertically at the same rate as the ball thrown straight down. Since they both start with the same vertical velocity (zero) and experience the same acceleration due to gravity, they will both reach the ground simultaneously.
Let me know if you'd like a more detailed explanation using equations!
