Question

When ____________________ equals the force of gravity on a falling object, the object reaches terminal velocity.

Answer 1

Terminal velocity is the constant velocity achieved by a falling object when the force of gravity is balanced by the upward drag force. When the magnitude of the drag force on a falling object is equal to the force of gravity, the object reaches its terminal velocity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Terminal velocity is the constant velocity achieved by a falling object when the force of gravity is balanced by the upward drag force. When the magnitude of the drag force on a falling object is equal to the force of gravity, the object reaches its terminal velocity. At this point, the net force on the object is zero, resulting in no acceleration.

For instance, a skydiver falling through the air experiences two forces - the force of gravity pulling them downward and the drag force opposing their motion. As the skydiver's velocity increases, the drag force also increases until it equals the gravitational force. At this point, the net force is zero, and the skydiver reaches terminal velocity.

Answer 2

The correct answer to the question is : Air resistance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before coming into any conclusion, first we have to understand the terminal velocity.

An object is said to be moving with terminal velocity if the net force acting on the object is zero i.e the body is non accelerating.

As per the question, the object is falling under gravity. The force of gravity acts in vertical downward direction.

Except gravity, the object is also under air resistance. It is the force which opposes the motion of the object, and acts in vertical upward direction.

If the air resistance becomes equal to force of gravity, then the net force acting on the object is zero . It is so because two forces act in opposite direction.

In case of liquids, the resistance force is called as viscosity.

Hence, the correct answer to the question is air resistance.