Question

Why does a falling object eventually slows down?

Answer 1

As the object's velocity increases, the drag also increases. It continues to increase until reaching a point where drag is equal to weight, so there will be no net force exerted on the object.

Explanation:

As the object's velocity increases, the drag also increases. It continues to increase until reaching a point where drag is equal to weight, so there will be no net force exerted on the object. Eventually, the acceleration becomes zero.

See this resource.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The speed should slowly stop increasing at a maximum speed called terminal velocity.

Explanation:

The acceleration should slowly decrease to zero as air drag increases. At that point the air drag has increased until it is equal and opposite the object's weight. Thus the object's speed would have slowly stopped increasing.

Its speed should not eventually decrease (until it hits the ground).

I hope this helps,
Steve