What is a key characteristic of terminal velocity?

Terminal velocity is defined as the constant speed that a freely falling object eventually reaches when the resistance of the medium through which it is falling prevents further acceleration. This means that terminal velocity occurs when the forces acting on the object are balanced. In the case of a falling object, this occurs when the downward force of gravity is equal to the upward force of drag (air resistance).

At this point, the net force acting on the object is zero, resulting in no further acceleration. The object continues to fall at a steady speed, which is what we refer to as terminal velocity. Understanding this balance of forces is crucial in comprehending the dynamics of falling objects and how factors like mass and surface area affect the terminal velocity.