Question

Why will a sheet of paper fall slower than one that is crumpled into a ball?

Answer 1

A sheet of paper has a larger surface area when compared to a crumpled paper ball. Because of its large area, when a sheet of paper is dropped from a height, it undergoes more resistance from air, its speed decreases and it falls at a slower rate.

On the other hand, a sheet of paper crumpled into a ball has a smaller area. Because of its smaller area, when a ball made from a crumpled sheet of paper is dropped from a height, it experiences less resistance from air, and it falls at a faster rate compared to a sheet of paper.

Hence, due to more air resistance or drag on the falling flat paper it takes longer time to reach the ground or fall slower than that of the same paper crumpled into a ball.