They fall at the same rate and reach the ground at the same time.
This might seem counterintuitive, but it's a fundamental principle of physics. Here's why:
* Gravity's Constant Pull: The force of gravity pulls on all objects with the same acceleration, regardless of their mass. This acceleration is approximately 9.8 m/s².
* Mass and Inertia: While heavier objects have more inertia (resistance to change in motion), they also have more gravitational force acting on them. These effects perfectly balance each other out.
* The Myth of the Hammer and Feather: The famous experiment by Apollo 15 astronaut David Scott on the Moon demonstrated this principle. He dropped a hammer and a feather, and they landed simultaneously, proving that in a vacuum, gravity affects all objects equally.
Important Note: This scenario only holds true in a vacuum where there's no air resistance. Air resistance can significantly affect the fall of objects, especially if they have different shapes or surface areas. For example, a feather will fall much slower than a rock in the presence of air.
