In a falling object that reaches terminal velocity, what is the net force on the object?

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Multiple Choice

In a falling object that reaches terminal velocity, what is the net force on the object?

The key idea is that terminal velocity happens when forces on the object are balanced, so there is no net force and no more acceleration. As the object falls, gravity pulls it downward while air drag pushes upward. The faster the object goes, the stronger the drag becomes. When the drag force grows to equal the weight in magnitude, these forces cancel each other out, leaving a net force of zero. With zero net force, the acceleration is zero and the velocity stays constant at that terminal value. That’s why the correct statement is that the net force becomes zero. The other options imply a remaining nonzero net force (downward if it equaled weight, or in other directions if it equaled drag, or a positive net force), which would mean continued acceleration—not the case at terminal velocity.

The key idea is that terminal velocity happens when forces on the object are balanced, so there is no net force and no more acceleration. As the object falls, gravity pulls it downward while air drag pushes upward. The faster the object goes, the stronger the drag becomes. When the drag force grows to equal the weight in magnitude, these forces cancel each other out, leaving a net force of zero. With zero net force, the acceleration is zero and the velocity stays constant at that terminal value. That’s why the correct statement is that the net force becomes zero. The other options imply a remaining nonzero net force (downward if it equaled weight, or in other directions if it equaled drag, or a positive net force), which would mean continued acceleration—not the case at terminal velocity.

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