Question

Why would an object have a much lower maximum speed falling through water than falling through air?

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Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

when objects move through a fluid such as air or water the fluid exerts a frictional force on the moving object. the frictional force from fluid is called a drag force friction drag force causes objects to slow down as they move through a fluid such as air or water.

Answer 2

The exact same principles of physics are involved regardless of the medium through which an object is falling.

That said, which particular principles are having the most effect may change. In air, for example, drag matters more than buoyancy for most solid objects, but in water this can be reversed, at least for objects that have any significant buoyancy to begin with.

No matter how you slice it, however, the same principles apply in all cases where terminal velocity applies, i.e. not in empty space.