Representing Terminal Velocity Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What shape is the velocity–time graph for an object falling through a fluid until it reaches terminal velocity?

A curve starting steep, with the gradient decreasing, which levels off into a horizontal line.

On a velocity–time graph of a falling object, what does the horizontal section represent?

Terminal velocity — constant velocity with zero resultant force.

How does a velocity–time graph show a skydiver opening a parachute?

The line falls (negative gradient) as they decelerate, then levels off at a new, lower terminal velocity.

True or false? On the velocity–time graph of a falling object, decreasing gradient means the object is slowing down.

False. It means the object is still speeding up, but its acceleration is decreasing as drag increases.