Main Answer:
Mass doesn't affect terminal speed in free fall. Terminal speed depends on the balance of gravitational force and air resistance.The mass of the ball is irrelevant to its terminal speed.
Explanation:
In the context of free-fall motion, the mass of an object does not affect its terminal speed. Terminal speed is the constant speed that a freely falling object eventually reaches when the resistance of the medium (air, in this case) prevents further acceleration. It is determined by the balance between gravitational force and air resistance. In this scenario, the initial speed being three times the terminal speed is a crucial detail. Regardless of the mass of the ball, it will eventually reach a constant terminal speed dictated by the air resistance it encounters during the fall.
Mass does play a role in the initial acceleration due to gravity, but as the ball accelerates, air resistance increases until it equals the gravitational force. At this point, the net force becomes zero, and the ball reaches its terminal speed. The relationship between mass and terminal speed is not direct, making the mass of the ball irrelevant to determining the terminal speed in this scenario.
In conclusion, the mass of the ball has no bearing on its terminal speed when thrown downward from the edge of a cliff with an initial speed three times the terminal speed. Understanding the dynamics of free-fall motion and the factors influencing terminal speed provides clarity on why mass is not a determining factor in this specific situation.