Which describes an object’s speed in free fall? the object accelerates until it reaches its terminal velocity. The object falls at a constant speed because only one force acts on it. The object falls faster and faster until it strikes the ground. The object speeds up and then stops when air resistance equals gravity.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: The object accelerates until it reaches its terminal velocity.
In free fall, an object experiences two main forces: gravity pulling it downward and air resistance acting in the opposite direction. When an object is dropped, gravity initially causes it to accelerate, meaning its speed increases as it falls. However, as the object’s velocity increases, the force of air resistance also increases because it pushes against the object’s motion.
At first, the object accelerates because the gravitational force exceeds the air resistance. As the object’s speed increases, the air resistance also increases, and eventually, it balances out the force of gravity. When these two forces become equal, the object stops accelerating and continues to fall at a constant speed. This constant speed is known as terminal velocity.
The specific value of terminal velocity depends on various factors, including the object’s size, shape, and mass, as well as the density of the air. For example, a skydiver with their body spread out has a much lower terminal velocity than if they were in a streamlined position. The terminal velocity for a human skydiver in a spread-eagle position is roughly 53 m/s (about 120 mph), but this can vary.
It’s important to note that terminal velocity doesn’t mean the object stops moving. It just means it reaches a steady speed where the downward force of gravity is exactly balanced by the upward force of air resistance.
