terminal velocity

• What is terminal velocity?

  It is the constant velocity reached when an object is no longer accelerating or decelerating.
• What happens to an object when it first steps out of an airplane?

  It experiences a downward force due to gravity, known as weight.
• What force acts on a person when they first step out of an airplane?

  The only force acting on them is their weight.
• What is the resultant force when a person first steps out of an airplane?

  The resultant force is the same size and direction as the weight.
• What happens to the person as they start falling?

  They will accelerate downwards due to the resultant force.
• What force opposes the weight of a falling person?

  Air resistance acts upwards in opposition to the weight.
• What causes air resistance during free fall?

  It is caused by collisions between the person and air particles.
• What two factors affect the size of air resistance?

  The surface area of the person and their velocity.
• How does surface area affect air resistance?

  A larger surface area increases the number of collisions with air particles.
• How does velocity affect air resistance?

  Higher velocity results in more collisions with air particles, increasing air resistance.
• What happens to air resistance when a person first starts falling?

  It is low because their velocity is still quite low.
• What happens to the resultant force as air resistance increases?

  The resultant force decreases as air resistance increases.
• What does it mean when the resultant force is zero?

  It means there is no acceleration acting on the object.
• What is terminal velocity in relation to forces?

  It is when the weight and air resistance are equal, resulting in zero resultant force.
• What happens when a parachute is opened during free fall?

  The surface area increases, causing air resistance to increase significantly.
• What happens to the resultant force when a parachute is opened?

  The resultant force becomes upwards, causing the person to decelerate.
• What occurs after the person slows down with the parachute open?

  The air resistance decreases until it equals the weight again, reaching a new terminal velocity.
• What is the process of reaching terminal velocity when falling?

  • Initially, weight is greater than air resistance.
  • Resultant force causes downward acceleration.
  • As velocity increases, air resistance increases.
  • Eventually, air resistance equals weight.
  • Resultant force becomes zero, and terminal velocity is reached.
• What happens when a parachute is deployed during a fall?

  • Surface area increases, leading to increased air resistance.
  • Resultant force becomes upwards, causing deceleration.
  • Air resistance decreases as speed lowers.
  • New terminal velocity is reached, which is lower than before.
• What are the key forces acting on a falling object?

  • Weight (downwards)
  • Air resistance (upwards)
• What is the relationship between weight and air resistance during free fall?

  • Weight is constant.
  • Air resistance increases with velocity.
  • They balance out at terminal velocity.