Terminal Velocity

• What is terminal velocity?

  It's when velocity remains constant during free fall.
• What happens to an object at terminal velocity?

  It no longer accelerates or decelerates.
• What force acts on a person stepping out of an airplane?

  Gravity pulls them downwards as weight.
• What is the force called that pulls a person downwards?

  Weight
• Why does the weight of a person remain constant during free fall?

  Because their mass does not change.
• What happens to the resultant force when a person first steps out of the plane?

  It equals the weight since no other forces act.
• What force opposes the weight of a falling person?

  Air resistance
• What is air resistance sometimes called?

  Drag
• What causes air resistance during free fall?

  Collisions with tiny air particles.
• What two factors affect the size of air resistance?

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

  Larger surface area increases collision area.
• How does velocity affect air resistance?

  Higher velocity increases collision frequency.
• What happens to the resultant force as a person accelerates downwards?

  It decreases as air resistance increases.
• What does a velocity-time graph show during free fall?

  Velocity increases while acceleration decreases.
• What occurs when air resistance equals weight?

  The resultant force becomes zero.
• What is the term for the velocity when forces balance?

  Terminal velocity
• What happens when a parachute opens during free fall?

  Air resistance increases due to larger surface area.
• How does the new terminal velocity with a parachute compare to the previous one?

  It is lower than the terminal velocity without it.
• What are the key points about falling objects and terminal velocity?

  • Weight is the only force initially.
  • Air resistance increases with velocity.
  • Resultant force decreases as air resistance increases.
  • Terminal velocity occurs when forces balance.
  • Parachute increases air resistance, lowering terminal velocity.
• What happens to an object when it reaches terminal velocity?

  It continues at a constant velocity.
• What is the effect of opening a parachute on the resultant force?

  It creates an upward resultant force.
• What happens to air resistance as a person slows down after opening a parachute?

  Air resistance decreases as velocity decreases.
• What is the relationship between weight and air resistance at terminal velocity?

  They are equal and opposite forces.