Terminal Velocity Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

What is terminal velocity?

The constant maximum velocity reached by an object falling through a fluid, when the resultant force on it is zero.

Why does an object accelerate when it first starts to fall through a fluid?

Its weight is greater than the air resistance (drag), so there is a resultant downward force.

Why does a falling object eventually reach terminal velocity?

As its velocity increases, air resistance increases until it equals the weight, so the resultant force becomes zero.

True or false? At terminal velocity there are no forces acting on the falling object.

False. Weight and drag still act, but they are equal and opposite so the resultant force is zero.

How does opening a parachute change the forces on a falling skydiver?

Air resistance increases greatly and becomes bigger than the weight, giving a resultant upward force, so the skydiver slows down.