Within Falling Objects
Why falling objects stop speeding up
Terminal velocity explains why some objects stop accelerating in air even though gravity keeps pulling them downward.
On this page
- How drag grows as speed increases
- Why weight and drag can balance
- Why heavier same shaped objects may fall faster in air
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Introduction
The statement that “all objects fall at the same rate” is only fully true when air resistance is absent or so small that it can be ignored. In ordinary air, falling objects experience drag, an upward force that grows as they move faster. Eventually that drag can become strong enough to balance the object’s weight. At that point the object stops accelerating, even though gravity is still pulling downward. This steady-speed state is called terminal velocity or terminal speed. [Encyclopedia Britannica]britannica.comAn object dropped from rest will increase its speed until itEncyclopedia BritannicaTerminal velocity | Definition, Examples, & FactsTerminal velocity, steady speed achieved by an object freely fall…
Terminal velocity is the key reason many everyday observations seem to contradict the ideal free-fall rule. A feather, a sheet of paper, a skydiver and a stone do not simply keep speeding up forever. Their motion changes because the surrounding air pushes back more strongly as speed increases. Understanding terminal velocity explains why some objects level off at a constant speed and why heavier objects of similar shape can sometimes fall faster in real atmospheric conditions. [GRC NASA]grc.nasa.govGRC NASATerminal VelocityThe terminal velocity equation tells us that an object with a large cross-sectional area or a high drag coeffici…
How drag grows as speed increases
When an object first begins to fall, gravity is much stronger than air resistance. The object accelerates downward and its speed rises rapidly. As that speed rises, however, the drag force also increases. For many everyday situations, drag grows approximately with the square of velocity, meaning that doubling speed can produce roughly four times as much drag. [NASA]grc.nasa.govGRC NASATerminal VelocityThe terminal velocity equation tells us that an object with a large cross-sectional area or a high drag coeffici… [GRC NASA]grc.nasa.govThe drag increases until it is equal to the weight. At that point, there is no net external…Read more…
This creates a built-in braking effect:
- Gravity pulls downward.
- The object speeds up.
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Six Easy Pieces
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- Faster motion creates more drag. [physics.stackexchange.com]physics.stackexchange.comcan drag be neglected although the object is in motiondrag be neglected, although the object is in motion?22 Nov 2021 — I was researching more about drag and why two things fall at the same t…
- More drag reduces the net downward force.
- Acceleration becomes smaller and smaller.
The important point is that gravity does not switch off. The downward gravitational force remains. What changes is the growing upward resistance from the air. As the two forces move closer to balance, the object’s acceleration decreases. [The Physics Classroom]physicsclassroom.comThe Physics ClassroomFree Fall and Air ResistanceWhy do objects that encounter air resistance ultimately reach a terminal velocity? In si… [GRC NASA]grc.nasa.govGRC NASAFalling Object with Air ResistanceThe drag equation tells us that drag (D) is equal to a drag coefficient (Cd) times one half the…
This is why the phrase “falling” does not automatically mean “speeding up”. An object can be falling while travelling at a perfectly constant speed.
Why weight and drag can balance
Terminal velocity occurs when the upward drag force becomes equal in magnitude to the downward weight of the object. At that moment, the net force is zero. According to Newton’s laws, zero net force means zero acceleration. The object therefore continues moving at a constant speed instead of accelerating further. [Encyclopedia Britannica]britannica.comAn object dropped from rest will increase its speed until itEncyclopedia BritannicaTerminal velocity | Definition, Examples, & FactsTerminal velocity, steady speed achieved by an object freely fall… [Encyclopedia Britannica]britannica.comAn object dropped from rest will increase its speed until itEncyclopedia BritannicaTerminal velocity | Definition, Examples, & FactsTerminal velocity, steady speed achieved by an object freely fall…
A useful misconception to correct is that terminal velocity means gravity has disappeared. It has not. The situation is more like a tug-of-war ending in a draw. Gravity still pulls downward with the same force, but drag pulls upward just as strongly. Since neither side wins, the speed stops changing. [Physics Stack Exchange]physics.stackexchange.comPhysics Stack Exchangenewtonian mechanics - Terminal Velocity DefinitionApr 24, 2021 — At terminal velocity, magnitude of air resistance…
The balance can be broken if conditions change. A skydiver provides a clear example. Before opening a parachute, the diver reaches a high terminal velocity. When the parachute opens, the effective area exposed to the air becomes dramatically larger, causing drag to increase sharply. The previous balance disappears and the diver slows until a new, much lower terminal velocity is reached. [The Physics Classroom]physicsclassroom.comThe Physics ClassroomFree Fall and Air ResistanceWhy do objects that encounter air resistance ultimately reach a terminal velocity? In si…
Why heavier same-shaped objects may fall faster in air
Terminal velocity helps explain why the everyday intuition that “heavier things fall faster” sometimes appears correct.
Consider two spheres with the same shape and size but different masses. They experience similar drag forces at a given speed because their shape and cross-sectional area are similar. The heavier sphere, however, has a greater weight pulling it downward. To generate enough drag to balance that larger weight, it must reach a higher speed. Its terminal velocity is therefore higher. [GRC NASA]grc.nasa.govGRC NASATerminal VelocityThe terminal velocity equation tells us that an object with a large cross-sectional area or a high drag coeffici… [GRC NASA]grc.nasa.govGRC NASAVelocity During RecoveryThe terminal velocity depends on the weight, the drag coefficient, the air density and the reference area…
This does not mean mass directly causes greater gravitational acceleration in free fall. Instead, it means that air resistance affects the two objects differently relative to their weight. The heavier object is less disrupted by the same amount of drag, so it can continue accelerating longer before reaching its terminal speed. [The Physics Classroom]physicsclassroom.comThe Physics ClassroomFree Fall and Air ResistanceWhy do objects that encounter air resistance ultimately reach a terminal velocity? In si…
That distinction resolves an apparent contradiction:
- In a vacuum, equal gravitational acceleration means objects fall together regardless of mass. [NASA]grc.nasa.govThe drag increases until it is equal to the weight. At that point, there is no net external…Read more…
- In air, drag changes the motion, and heavier objects of similar shape may reach the ground sooner because they achieve higher terminal velocities. [GRC NASA]grc.nasa.govGRC NASATerminal VelocityThe terminal velocity equation tells us that an object with a large cross-sectional area or a high drag coeffici…
The common observation is therefore not entirely wrong; it is incomplete. It reflects the influence of air resistance rather than a fundamental difference in gravitational acceleration.
Why shape often matters more than weight
Terminal velocity depends not only on mass but also on the way an object presents itself to the air. A large projected area or an inefficient shape creates more drag and lowers terminal velocity. A compact, streamlined shape creates less drag and allows a higher terminal velocity. [GRC NASA]grc.nasa.govThe drag increases until it is equal to the weight. At that point, there is no net external…Read more…
This is why a crumpled sheet of paper falls much faster than the same sheet left flat. The mass barely changes, but the interaction with the air changes dramatically. The flat sheet generates strong drag at low speeds, while the crumpled version has a much smaller area facing the airflow. [IOPSpark]spark.iop.orgIOPSparkEpisode 209: Drag, air resistance, terminal velocity | IOPSparkDuring the discussion, you will be able to introduce and define th…
The same principle explains why parachutes work. A parachute deliberately increases the area interacting with the air, raising drag until the terminal velocity becomes low enough for a safe landing. [GRC NASA]grc.nasa.govGRC NASAFalling Object with Air ResistanceThe drag equation tells us that drag (D) is equal to a drag coefficient (Cd) times one half the…
What terminal velocity changes about the falling-object myth
Terminal velocity changes the question from “Which object has more gravity pulling on it?” to “How do gravity and drag interact as speed increases?”
Without air resistance, a falling object keeps accelerating at roughly 9.8 metres per second squared near Earth’s surface. With air resistance, acceleration gradually shrinks as drag grows. Eventually the object reaches a speed where additional acceleration stops altogether. [NASA]www1.grc.nasa.govfalling object with air resistanceNASAFalling Object with Air Resistance | Glenn Research CenterJul 18, 2024 — The drag equation tells us that drag D is equal to a drag co…
That is why real-world falling does not look like ideal textbook free fall. Objects moving through air can have very different terminal velocities depending on their weight, size and shape. The result is that feathers drift, raindrops settle at characteristic speeds, parachutes descend gently and dense compact objects often reach the ground first. Terminal velocity does not overturn the principle that gravity accelerates all objects equally in free fall; it explains why ordinary falls in air often look different. [Encyclopedia Britannica]britannica.comAn object dropped from rest will increase its speed until itEncyclopedia BritannicaTerminal velocity | Definition, Examples, & FactsTerminal velocity, steady speed achieved by an object freely fall… [Encyclopedia Britannica]britannica.comAn object dropped from rest will increase its speed until itEncyclopedia BritannicaTerminal velocity | Definition, Examples, & FactsTerminal velocity, steady speed achieved by an object freely fall…
Endnotes
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Source: britannica.com
Title: An object dropped from rest will increase its speed until it
Link: https://www.britannica.com/science/terminal-velocitySource snippet
Encyclopedia BritannicaTerminal velocity | Definition, Examples, & FactsTerminal velocity, steady speed achieved by an object freely fall...
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Source: grc.nasa.gov
Link: https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/VirtualAero/BottleRocket/airplane/termv.htmlSource snippet
GRC NASATerminal VelocityThe terminal velocity equation tells us that an object with a large cross-sectional area or a high drag coeffici...
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Source: grc.nasa.gov
Link: https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/BGP/newton1a.htmlSource snippet
The drag increases until it is equal to the weight. At that point, there is no net external...Read more...
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Source: www1.grc.nasa.gov
Title: falling object with air resistance
Link: https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/falling-object-with-air-resistance/Source snippet
NASAFalling Object with Air Resistance | Glenn Research CenterJul 18, 2024 — The drag equation tells us that drag D is equal to a drag co...
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Source: grc.nasa.gov
Link: https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/VirtualAero/BottleRocket/airplane/falling.htmlSource snippet
GRC NASAFalling Object with Air ResistanceThe drag equation tells us that drag (D) is equal to a drag coefficient (Cd) times one half the...
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Source: britannica.com
Link: https://www.britannica.com/science/Stokess-lawSource snippet
Encyclopedia BritannicaStokes's law | Definition, Formula, & FactsAt a constant velocity of fall called the terminal velocity, the upward...
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Source: grc.nasa.gov
Link: https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/VirtualAero/BottleRocket/airplane/termvr.htmlSource snippet
GRC NASATerminal VelocityThe terminal velocity equation tells us that an object with a large cross-sectional area or a high drag coeffici...
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Source: grc.nasa.gov
Link: https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/VirtualAero/BottleRocket/airplane/rktvrecv.htmlSource snippet
GRC NASAVelocity During RecoveryThe terminal velocity depends on the weight, the drag coefficient, the air density and the reference area...
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Source: www1.grc.nasa.gov
Title: Motion of Free Falling Object | Glenn Research Center
Link: https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/motion-of-free-falling-object/Source snippet
NASAMotion of Free Falling Object | Glenn Research Center - NASAJul 3, 2025 — An object that falls through a vacuum is subjected to only...
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Link: https://www.britannica.com/science/drag-coefficientSource snippet
Drag coefficient | fluid mechanics8 days ago — Drag forces are conventionally described by a drag coefficient, defined irrespective of th...
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Link: https://www.nasa.gov/Source snippet
NASANASA investigates the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery. NASA...
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Link: https://www.britannica.com/science/generalized-velocity -
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Ballistics | Internal, External & Terminal EffectsBelow the speed of sound, the drag is roughly proportional to the square of the velocit...
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Aerodynamics, Air Resistance & Turbulence19 Mar 2026 — Drag, force exerted by a fluid stream on any obstacle in its path or felt by an ob...
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Link: https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/Lesson-3/Free-Fall-and-Air-ResistanceSource snippet
The Physics ClassroomFree Fall and Air ResistanceWhy do objects that encounter air resistance ultimately reach a terminal velocity? In si...
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Source: physics.stackexchange.com
Link: https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/631724/terminal-velocity-definitionSource snippet
Physics Stack Exchangenewtonian mechanics - Terminal Velocity DefinitionApr 24, 2021 — At terminal velocity, magnitude of air resistance...
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Source: physicsclassroom.com
Title: The Physics Classroom Air Resistance and Terminal Velocity
Link: https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Teacher-Toolkits/Terminal-Velocity/Terminal-Velocity-Complete-ToolKitSource snippet
The Physics ClassroomAir Resistance and Terminal Velocity - Complete ToolkitThe video will help kids understand that terminal velocity in...
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Source: physicsclassroom.com
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The influence of air resistance...Read more...
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IOPSparkEpisode 209: Drag, air resistance, terminal velocity | IOPSparkDuring the discussion, you will be able to introduce and define th...
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: Terminal velocity
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_velocitySource snippet
Terminal velocityWhen the terminal velocity is reached the weight of the object is exactly balanced by the upward buoyancy force and d...
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Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASASource snippet
NASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA /ˈnæsə/) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsib...
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Title: can drag be neglected although the object is in motion
Link: https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/678547/can-drag-be-neglected-although-the-object-is-in-motionSource snippet
drag be neglected, although the object is in motion?22 Nov 2021 — I was researching more about drag and why two things fall at the same t...
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Terminal Velocity | KÜRE EncyclopediaMay 31, 2025 — Terminal velocity is the constant speed attained by a freely falling object when the...
Published: May 31, 2025
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Source: courses.lumenlearning.com
Title: 5 2 drag forces
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Forces | PhysicsThe terminal velocity of a person falling in air depends upon the weight and the area of the person facing the fluid. Fin...
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The Physics Classroom: Free Fall and Air ResistanceThis lesson in high school physics on Newton's Second Law of Motion provides a discuss...
Additional References
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Link: https://www.theexpertta.com/book-files/OpenStaxUniversityPhysicsVol1/UP1_6.4.%20Drag%20Force%20and%20Terminal%20Speed_pg302-310.pdfSource snippet
6.4. Drag Force and Terminal SpeedThe terminal velocity is the same as the limiting velocity, which is the velocity of the falling object...
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Source: physicsclassroom.com
Link: https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Teacher-Toolkits/Terminal-VelocitySource snippet
Air Resistance and Terminal VelocityThe Air Resistance and Terminal Velocity Toolkit provides teachers with standards-based resources for...
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Source: physicsclassroom.com
Link: https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Video-Tutorial/Kinematics/Describing-Free-Fall/VideoSource snippet
Describing Free Fall Video TutorialThis video tutorial lesson defines free fall and describes the changes (or lack of changes) in the pos...
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ELI5 if terminal velocity is the fastest an item can free fall...If you launch something faster than terminal velocity, the drag force w...
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Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry Online AcademyWhen drag is equal to weight, there is no net external force on the object and the objec...
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Terminal Velocity CalculatorThis terminal velocity calculator will help you estimate the speed of a free-falling object through a gaseous...
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Air Resistance and Terminal VelocityHow does air resistance affect the motion of a skydiver? What is terminal velocity and why do objects...
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Free Fall and Newtons Second LawThe Physics Classroom explains the physics of falling, distinguishing between falling with and without ai...
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(greater than, less than, equal to) the force of gravity. Hence, the object will. (continue...Read more...
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