Question

If you drop a hammer to the ground on Earth, how will it land? Explain why.
a.)Metal end first::
b.)Handle first
c.)As it was held(sideways)

I have an idea of how they all fall but I don't know how to explain it

Answer 1

Depends on the center of gravity. If the center of gravity is toward the head of the hammer, the head will hit first. Plus the head has more mass per volume than the handle, so the handle has more air friction which will tend to make the handle point up and the head down as the handle wants to take the path of least resistance

Answer 2

why is it when a hammer is dropped sideways it lands side ways

Answer 3

You didn't give it enough time to fall...eventually the center of gravity always wins out. Like if you dropped a sledge hammer from 3 ft high, it would almost look like it landed sideways, because mass falls at the same speed if it wasn't for air friction....but if yo let the hammer fall for a 100 ft or more the air friction would push the handle vertical and the heavy hammer tip would come straight down