Which of the following correctly describes the motion of a...

Which of the following correctly describes the motion of a real object in free fall? Assume that the object experiences drag force proportional to speed and that it strikes the ground before reaching terminal sped. (A) It will fall with increasing speed and increasing acceleration. (B) It will fall with increasing speed and decreasing acceleration. (C) It will fall with decreasing speed and increasing acceleration. (D) It will fall with decreasing speed and decreasing acceleration.

Which of the following correctly describes the motion of a real object in free fall? Assume that the object experiences drag force proportional to speed and that it strikes the ground before reaching terminal sped.
(A) It will fall with increasing speed and increasing acceleration.
(B) It will fall with increasing speed and decreasing acceleration.
(C) It will fall with decreasing speed and increasing acceleration.
(D) It will fall with decreasing speed and decreasing acceleration.

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Key Concepts

Free Fall

Free fall refers to the motion of an object under the influence of gravitational force only. In ideal conditions without air resistance, the object accelerates at a constant rate. However, when drag forces such as air resistance are present, the motion is modified from the ideal case because the resistive force opposes the gravitational pull.

Drag Force

The drag force is a resistive force that acts opposite to the direction of motion. When the drag force is proportional to the speed of the object, it increases linearly with the speed, gradually reducing the net acceleration as the object gains speed. This force counteracts gravity, meaning that the overall acceleration decreases even though the speed continues to increase.

Terminal Velocity

Terminal velocity is reached when the force due to drag becomes equal in magnitude to the gravitational force, resulting in zero net acceleration and a constant falling speed. In situations where the object does not reach terminal velocity before impacting, the speed is still increasing, but the acceleration is diminishing due to the increasing drag force.

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