Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 4 - Think and Do - Page 69: 33

Answer

This is a hands-on demonstration. Try it and see! When the paper starts on top of the book and they are dropped together, very little air resistance acts on the paper because the book blocks much of the air from striking it. So the paper and book fall with the same acceleration. This is similar to the technique of drafting/slipstreaming used in motorsports where vehicles align themselves into a tight column, reducing the drag on the followers.
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