Question

A ball is dropped from the top of a building. Taking air resistance into account, which best describes the speed of the ball while it is moving downward?

• A. It will increase until it reaches the speed of light
• B. It will increase at a steady rate
• C. It will remain constant
• D. It will decrease
• E. It will increase till a particular time and then it will remain constant

Answer 1

The correct option is E It will increase till a particular time and then it will remain constant

The force of air resistance against a ball increases as the ball accelerates. At a certain point, the force of air resistance will be equal to the force of gravity, and the net force acting on the ball will be zero. At this point, its velocity will remain constant. This velocity is known as an objects terminal velocity, and it explains why, in real life, many falling objects don't continue accelerating all the way to the ground.