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sammy gerbil
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Two initial observations :

  1. Are the darts launched with the same speed or the same kinetic energy?

When you specify that you use the same 'force' to launch both darts, it is not clear what you intend. Using the same force in Newtons over the same distance should result in the two darts acquiring the same kinetic energy but different speeds. However, as BowlofRed points out, your ability to launch objects is limited by the mass of your arm. If the mass of the arm is much larger than the mass of the dart, very little KE is imparted to the dart. All light-weight objects are launched with approximately the same speed, which is limited by size and strength of the arm and the technique used.

  1. The effect of gravity is a complicating factor here, so let us ignore it.

For the same shape and size of object, travelling at the same speed, the drag force $F$ caused by air resistance is the same. It depends on cross-sectional area but not mass. For thrown objects, drag force is approximately proportional to speed through the air : $F=-kv$.

The equation of motion is $a=F/m$ so that $\frac{dv}{dt}=-(k/m)v$ which has the solution
$v(t)=v_0e^{-bt}$
where $b=k/m$. Integrating again we get
$x(t)=(v_0/b)(1-e^{-bt})$.
The distance travelled after a long long time is
$x(\infty)=v_0/b=mv_0/k$.

Which dart travels further depends on the initial momentum $mv_0$.

  1. Launch with the same KE

Here $\frac12mV^2=\frac12Mv^2$ (the lighter dart has higher velocity) so $V/v=\sqrt{M/m}$. The ratio of distances is
$x_M/x_m=Mv/mV=V/v=\sqrt{M/m}$.
The heavier dart travels further, despite the fact that the lighter dart started with higher speed.

  1. Launch with the same Speed

The above result indicates that the heavier dart will travel further still, because the lighter dart starts with less KE.

Here $V=v$ so the ratio of distances is
$x_M/x_m=Mv/mV=M/m$.
The heavier dart travels further still than when the darts have the same KE.

Conclusion : In both scenarios the heavier dart travels further.

sammy gerbil
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