Question
falling object that has reached its terminal velocity continues to A) neither. B) both. gain speed. gain acceleration.
Ask by Fernandez Conner. in the United States
Jan 27,2025
Real Tutor Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
When an object reaches terminal velocity, it neither gains speed nor acceleration.
Solution
When a falling object reaches **terminal velocity**, it means that the **force of gravity** pulling it downward is exactly balanced by the **air resistance** pushing it upward. At this point:
- **Speed**: The object **does not gain speed**; it continues to fall at a constant terminal velocity.
- **Acceleration**: The object **does not gain acceleration**; the acceleration is **zero** because the forces are balanced.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
**A) neither.**
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Simplify this solution Bonus Knowledge
When a falling object reaches its terminal velocity, it no longer gains speed; it falls at a constant speed. This happens because the force of gravity pulling the object downwards is balanced by the air resistance pushing against it. So, the correct answer is A) neither. Even though the object is in free fall, it has achieved a balance of forces, and therefore, it has no net acceleration at terminal velocity. It’s like a serene sailboat gliding smoothly across the water – steady and unchanging!
