Answer
Before a falling body attains terminal velocity, it is gaining speed, and experiences a downward acceleration. The net force is downward, which means the gravitational force is greater than air resistance.
As the body keeps gaining speed, air resistance increases until the body reaches terminal speed. At that point, the net force is zero, and air resistance has the same strength as the gravitational force.
Work Step by Step
This is discussed on pages 65-66.
