Gravity is a major part of all sports, including badminton. When the only force acting on an object is gravity, the object is in free fall. In free fall, the rate of acceleration on Earth is 9.8 m/s^2. This means that if a badminton racket and a badminton shuttlecock were dropped at the same time, at the same height, in free fall, they would land at the same time. However, there is air resistance. Air resistance is what causes a piece of paper to float down, whereas a rock drops. The feathery tail of the shuttlecock helps to keep it in the air longer. Although a flat piece of paper or plastic directly around the ball would produce more air resistance, it would also cause it to twirl uncontrollably, making the game very difficult to play. Still, with the feathers on the end, the shuttlecock is still manageable, yet it is not falling down straight from the sky.
Gravity is a major part of all sports, including badminton. When the only force acting on an object is gravity, the object is in free fall. In free fall, the rate of acceleration on Earth is 9.8 m/s^2. This means that if a badminton racket and a badminton shuttlecock were dropped at the same time, at the same height, in free fall, they would land at the same time. However, there is air resistance. Air resistance is what causes a piece of paper to float down, whereas a rock drops. The feathery tail of the shuttlecock helps to keep it in the air longer. Although a flat piece of paper or plastic directly around the ball would produce more air resistance, it would also cause it to twirl uncontrollably, making the game very difficult to play. Still, with the feathers on the end, the shuttlecock is still manageable, yet it is not falling down straight from the sky.