Terminal velocity

• What is terminal velocity?

  Velocity remains constant with no acceleration
• What happens when an object reaches terminal velocity?

  It stops accelerating and maintains constant velocity
• What force acts on a person stepping out of an airplane?

  Gravity pulls them downwards as weight
• What is the only force acting on a person immediately after they step out of the plane?

  Weight
• How does air resistance affect a falling object?

  It acts upwards, opposing the weight
• What two factors determine the size of air resistance on a falling object?

  Surface area and velocity of the object
• Why does air resistance increase as a person falls?

  More collisions with air particles occur
• What happens to the resultant force as air resistance increases?

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

  No acceleration occurs on the object
• What occurs when a person opens their parachute?

  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 parachute
• What are the steps leading to terminal velocity for a falling object?

  1. Weight acts downwards, causing acceleration.
  2. Air resistance acts upwards, opposing weight.
  3. As velocity increases, air resistance increases.
  4. Eventually, air resistance equals weight.
  5. Resultant force becomes zero, stopping acceleration.
  6. Object reaches terminal velocity.
• What happens to the resultant force when air resistance equals weight?

  • Resultant force is zero
  • No acceleration occurs
  • Object maintains constant velocity
• What is the effect of increasing surface area on air resistance?

  • Increases air resistance
  • More collisions with air particles
  • Slows down the falling object
• What are the key points about falling objects and terminal velocity?

  • Weight causes initial acceleration downwards
  • Air resistance increases with velocity
  • Terminal velocity is reached when forces balance
  • Parachutes increase air resistance, lowering terminal velocity