A falling object reaches terminal velocity once its speed
a
remains constant.
b
stops.
c
increases.
d
decreases.
The correct answer is a. A falling object reaches terminal velocity once its speed remains constant. At terminal velocity, the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity, causing the net force on the object to be zero. This results in a constant speed as long as the object remains in a stable position.
The correct answer is option a) remains constant.
Terminal velocity is the maximum velocity that an object can reach while falling through a fluid (like air) under the force of gravity. It occurs when the gravitational force pulling the object downward is balanced by the opposing force of air resistance pushing upward. When these two forces balance each other, the net force on the falling object becomes zero, and as a result, its speed remains constant.
To determine the correct answer, you might have considered the concept of terminal velocity and how it affects the velocity of a falling object. In this case, you would have eliminated options b) stops, c) increases, and d) decreases because they do not align with the definition and characteristics of terminal velocity.
To understand the concept of terminal velocity, you can use the following steps:
1. Recognize that an object experiences a force due to gravity when it is falling.
2. Understand that air resistance opposes the force of gravity and becomes stronger as the object's speed increases.
3. Realize that as the object accelerates, the force of air resistance increases until it equals the force of gravity.
4. Identify that once the forces balance each other, the object's acceleration becomes zero, and its speed remains constant.
5. Conclude that at terminal velocity, the object falls at a constant speed, indicating that its speed remains constant.
By understanding the concepts of forces, gravity, air resistance, and acceleration, you can deduce that when a falling object reaches terminal velocity, its speed will remain constant.
The correct answer is a) remains constant.
Terminal velocity is the constant speed reached by a falling object when the drag force (air resistance) is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the gravitational force acting on the object. Once an object reaches terminal velocity, its speed no longer increases or decreases but instead remains constant.