Objects do not actually fall faster as they gain velocity. Instead, they accelerate due to the force of gravity until they reach a point where the forces acting on them are balanced, resulting in a constant velocity known as terminal velocity.
When an object is initially dropped or released from a height, it begins to fall under the influence of gravity. As it falls, the force of gravity accelerates the object, causing it to gain velocity. The acceleration is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared on Earth, assuming no significant air resistance.
However, as the object gains velocity, it also experiences air resistance (also known as drag). Air resistance is a force that opposes the motion of an object moving through a fluid medium like air. The magnitude of air resistance depends on factors such as the shape and size of the object and the density of the fluid.
As the object's velocity increases, the force of air resistance also increases. Eventually, a point is reached where the force of air resistance becomes equal to the force of gravity pulling the object downward. At this point, the net force on the object becomes zero, resulting in no further acceleration. The object continues to move downward, but at a constant velocity called the terminal velocity.
Terminal velocity varies depending on the characteristics of the object and the surrounding medium. For example, a feather has a lower terminal velocity than a dense object like a rock, as air resistance affects the feather more significantly. In a vacuum where there is no air or other fluid medium to provide resistance, objects would continue to accelerate until they reach their maximum potential velocity.
In summary, objects do not fall faster as they gain velocity. They accelerate due to gravity until the forces acting on them are balanced, resulting in a constant terminal velocity.