The maximum velocity a falling object can achieve depends on several factors, including the object's mass, the force of gravity, and the presence of any external factors such as air resistance.
In the absence of air resistance, an object in free fall will continue to accelerate due to the force of gravity until it reaches its terminal velocity. Terminal velocity is the maximum velocity that an object can attain when the gravitational force pulling it downward is balanced by the opposing force of air resistance pushing upward.
The terminal velocity varies depending on the object's size, shape, and mass. Objects with larger surface areas experience more air resistance and therefore reach their terminal velocity at a lower speed compared to objects with smaller surface areas.
To give you an example, the terminal velocity of a human skydiver in a belly-to-earth position is typically around 53 meters per second (120 miles per hour). However, if the skydiver assumes a more streamlined position, the terminal velocity can increase to around 76 meters per second (170 miles per hour).
It's important to note that in real-world scenarios, where air resistance is present, the velocity of a falling object will be limited by its terminal velocity, which is unique to each object based on its specific characteristics.