Why do raindrops fall with constant speed during the later stages of their descent?
Why do raindrops fall with constant speed during the later stages of their descent?
Explanation
As a raindrop falls:
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Initially, it accelerates due to gravity.
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As its speed increases, air resistance (a drag force) also increases.
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Eventually, a point is reached where the upward air resistance equals the downward gravitational force.
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At this point, net force = 0, so acceleration stops, and the raindrop continues falling at a constant speed.
This constant speed is called terminal velocity.