Here's why:
* Gravity: Gravity constantly pulls objects towards the Earth, causing them to accelerate downwards.
* Air Resistance: As an object falls, it encounters air resistance (also called drag). This force opposes the motion of the object and increases with speed.
* Balance: As the object falls faster, air resistance increases until it becomes equal to the force of gravity. At this point, the forces are balanced, and the object stops accelerating.
What happens at terminal velocity:
* Constant Speed: The object continues to fall at a constant speed, known as terminal velocity.
* No Further Acceleration: Since the forces are balanced, the object won't speed up any further.
* Dependent on Factors: Terminal velocity is not a fixed value; it depends on factors like the object's shape, size, and mass, as well as the density of the air.
Example: A skydiver reaches terminal velocity during their freefall, which is why they don't fall faster and faster until they hit the ground.
