Terminal velocity

• What is terminal velocity?

  Maximum speed reached by a falling object
• What balances to determine terminal velocity?

  Weight and air resistance
• How do parachutes affect terminal velocity?

  They decrease terminal velocity
• What happens to falling objects as they accelerate?

  • Initially, gravity exceeds friction
  • Objects accelerate downward
  • Friction increases with speed
• What occurs when the frictional force equals the accelerating force?

  Resultant force becomes zero
• What is the state of motion when terminal velocity is reached?

  Steady speed
• How does shape affect terminal velocity?

  Less streamlined shapes have lower terminal velocity
• Which object has a higher terminal velocity: a marble or a beach ball?


  Marble
• Why does the beach ball have a lower terminal velocity than the marble?

  More air resistance acts on the beach ball
• What effect does a larger surface area have on terminal velocity?

  It tends to lower terminal velocity
• What are the key points about terminal velocity and falling objects?

  • Terminal velocity is reached when forces balance
  • Shape and area affect terminal velocity
  • Less streamlined objects fall slower
  • Larger surface areas lead to lower terminal velocities