When an object is falling with constant velocity, what have we reached?

• A. Steady velocity
• B. Maximum velocity
• C. Free fall
• D. Terminal velocity

Answer: (D)

When something falls through air, drag increases with speed while gravity remains constant. So as the object speeds up, the upward drag grows until it balances the downward weight. At that moment there is no net force, so the acceleration is zero and the velocity stays the same as it continues to fall. This constant falling speed is what we call terminal velocity. It’s different from free fall (which would occur with no air resistance and involve continuous acceleration), and from a vague “steady” or “maximum” velocity—the defining feature here is the balance of forces that sets a fixed, final speed. The exact value depends on the object's size and shape and the air density.