Gravity and Terminal Velocity

• What is Terminal Velocity?

  Terminal velocity is the constant velocity a falling object reaches when the frictional force acting on it is equal to its weight
• Describe the forces acting on an object falling through a fluid?

  Two forces act on a falling object in a fluid: its weight due to gravity and the drag force. The weight remains constant, while the drag force is small at the beginning but increases as the object speeds up
• How does the resultant force change as an object falls through a fluid?

  The resultant force will get smaller as the drag force increases
• What is the acceleration of an object acted on only by gravity?

  If an object is only acted on by gravity, the acceleration will be 9.8 m/s²
• Describe the stages of an object falling to terminal velocity

  1. As the object begins to fall, there is no drag, and it accelerates at 9.8 m/s² due to gravity. 2) As velocity increases, air resistance increases, reducing the resultant force and acceleration. 3) The object reaches terminal velocity when air resistance balances weight, resulting in no acceleration