Why is it that a cat that accidentally falls from the top of a 50 -story building hits the ground no faster than if it falls from the 20th story?

Cats have a unique ability to spread their bodies out during a fall, which increases air resistance and slows their descent. This is known as the "cat righting reflex," allowing them to adjust their position mid-fall. As a result, when they fall from significant heights, they reach terminal velocity at a lower speed than larger animals, meaning they hit the ground with a similar force regardless of whether they fall from the 20th or 50th story. Thus, they often survive high falls with relatively minor injuries.