* Initial Velocity: If the ball is simply dropped, its initial velocity is 0. If it's thrown downwards, it will have an initial velocity.

* Time: The longer the ball falls, the faster it gets.

* Air Resistance: Air resistance slows the ball down. This is more significant for lighter objects or at higher speeds.

* Gravity: The primary force acting on the ball is gravity, pulling it downwards. The acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s², meaning the ball's speed increases by 9.8 meters per second every second it falls.

Without air resistance:

* The formula for the speed of a falling ball is: v = gt, where:

* v is the final velocity

* g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²)

* t is the time the ball has been falling

With air resistance:

* The calculation becomes much more complex. Air resistance is a force that depends on the object's shape, size, and speed. The faster the ball falls, the more air resistance it experiences.

In summary:

* The speed of a falling ball increases over time due to gravity.

* Air resistance slows the ball down, and the effect of air resistance becomes more pronounced at higher speeds.

* To calculate the speed precisely, you need to consider both gravity and air resistance.