How does air resistance impact a falling object?

Air resistance impacts a falling object by slowing its descent and reducing the acceleration due to gravity.

Air resistance, also known as drag, is a force that acts against the motion of an object moving through air. It is a type of friction that occurs between the air and the surface of the moving object. When an object falls, it is initially accelerated by the force of gravity. However, as it gains speed, the air resistance acting against it also increases. This results in a decrease in the net force acting on the object and hence, a decrease in acceleration.

The impact of air resistance on a falling object can be clearly seen when comparing two objects of different shapes but the same mass. For instance, if you drop a feather and a stone of the same mass, you will notice that the feather falls much slower. This is because the feather, due to its larger surface area, experiences a greater air resistance compared to the stone.

The effect of air resistance is also dependent on the speed of the falling object. At low speeds, the air resistance is proportional to the speed. However, as the speed increases, the air resistance increases exponentially. This is why objects falling from a great height, such as skydivers, reach a terminal velocity. Terminal velocity is the constant maximum speed that a freely falling object eventually reaches when the resistance of the medium through which it is falling prevents further acceleration.

IB Physics Tutor Summary: Air resistance, or drag, slows down objects as they fall through the air by working against gravity. It depends on the object's shape and speed. A larger surface area or higher speed increases air resistance, leading to a decrease in acceleration. When an object reaches a point where it can't accelerate anymore because of air resistance, it's hit terminal velocity, staying at a constant speed.