Here's why:
* Velocity is a general term for speed and direction. An object can have different velocities throughout its fall.
* Terminal velocity is the constant speed that a freely falling object eventually reaches when the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity. At this point, the object stops accelerating and falls at a steady rate.
Think of it this way: as an object falls, it speeds up due to gravity. But as it gets faster, the air resistance pushing against it increases. Eventually, the air resistance becomes strong enough to balance the force of gravity. At that moment, the object stops accelerating and reaches its terminal velocity.
