What is terminal velocity?

Terminal velocity refers to the constant speed that an object attains when the force of gravity pulling it downward is balanced by the drag force acting against its motion. In this state, the net force on the object becomes zero, meaning it no longer accelerates.

As an object falls, it initially accelerates due to gravity. However, as its speed increases, so does the drag force acting on it (which depends on factors like the object's speed, cross-sectional area, and the density of the fluid through which it is moving). Eventually, a point is reached where the upward drag force equals the downward gravitational force. At this point, the two forces are balanced, and the object continues to fall at a constant velocity, which is termed terminal velocity.

This concept is crucial for understanding motion in fluids, such as air, and explains why objects of different shapes and masses can reach different terminal velocities depending on their drag characteristics and weight.