What happens when a falling object reaches terminal velocity
When a falling object reaches terminal velocity, it means that the gravitational force pulling the object downwards is equal to the air resistance pushing upwards on the object. At this point, the object stops accelerating and continues to fall at a steady speed.
Once an object reaches terminal velocity, its velocity remains constant. This is because as the object gains speed during free fall, the air resistance acting on it also increases. At some point, the force of air resistance counteracts the force of gravity, resulting in a net force of zero. Since acceleration is directly proportional to net force (according to Newton's second law of motion), the object no longer accelerates and maintains a constant velocity.
The terminal velocity of an object depends on factors such as the object's size, shape, mass, and the viscosity of the fluid it is falling through (usually air). Objects with a larger surface area or less mass will generally have a lower terminal velocity, while objects with a smaller surface area or more mass will have a higher terminal velocity.
Overall, when a falling object reaches terminal velocity, it experiences no further change in velocity and falls at a constant speed until it encounters another force or reaches the ground.