Question

how does surface area affect a falling object?

Answer 1

Do you know the term "air drag"?

Answer 2

I've heard of it, but don't fully understand it :/

Answer 3

Air offers resistance to the motion of objects (similar to friction). And to reduce this resistance (also called air drag) aeroplanes are given a streamlined shape.

Answer 4

How it depends on the surface area might be a little difficult (as I don't know your grade) to put it on lay man's terms -
A falling object with a larger surface area (of the lower hemisphere) will experience (retarding) force by a larger portion of the atmosphere than an object with a lesser surface area.

Answer 5

thank you :)