Here's why:
* Gravity vs. Air Resistance: When an object falls, gravity pulls it downwards, causing it to accelerate. However, as the object speeds up, it encounters more air resistance, which acts as a force opposing its motion.
* Reaching Equilibrium: As the object falls faster, the force of air resistance increases until it eventually balances out the force of gravity. At this point, the net force acting on the object becomes zero.
* Constant Velocity: Since there's no net force, the object stops accelerating and continues to fall at a constant speed, which is called terminal velocity.
Key Points about Terminal Velocity:
* Depends on Factors: Terminal velocity is not a fixed value. It depends on factors like the object's shape, mass, and the density of the air.
* Not a Maximum Speed: While terminal velocity is the speed at which acceleration stops, it's not the fastest possible speed an object can reach. If the air resistance changes (like during a sudden change in wind), the object could accelerate further.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
