1.2.4 Terminal Velocity

• What is terminal velocity defined as?

  Constant speed in equilibrium
• What are the two main forces acting on a falling object?

  Gravity and air resistance
• Terminal velocity is the constant speed an object reaches when the force of gravity is balanced by the air resistance
• The drag force on an object decreases with its speed

  False
• Air resistance balances gravity at terminal velocity


  True
• The force of gravity pulls an object downwards
• Terminal velocity occurs when the force of gravity is balanced by air resistance
• As a skydiver falls, gravity increases their speed, but air resistance slows them down until they reach terminal velocity
• Terminal velocity is the constant speed an object reaches when the force of gravity is balanced by the air resistance
• Gravity causes an object to decelerate

  False
• A skydiver reaches terminal velocity when air resistance equals their weight


  True
• Match the effect of each force on a falling object.

  Gravity ↔️ Accelerates

  Air Resistance ↔️ Decelerates
• Terminal velocity is the constant speed an object reaches when the force of gravity is balanced by the air resistance
• Which force decelerates a falling object?

  Air resistance
• Match the force with its effect on a falling object:

  Gravity ↔️ Accelerates the object

  Air Resistance ↔️ Decelerates the object
• Drag force increases as the velocity of an object increases.


  True
• The drag force acting on an object increases with its speed
• Steps to explain why terminal velocity is constant:

  1️⃣ Object starts falling, gravity increases velocity

  2️⃣ Air resistance increases with velocity

  3️⃣ At terminal velocity, air resistance equals gravity

  4️⃣ Object stops accelerating and falls at constant speed
• Large hailstones can reach terminal velocities of over 100 km/h.

  True
• When gravity and air resistance are equal, an object stops accelerating


  True
• Order the relationship between velocity and drag force.

  1️⃣ Slow velocity

  2️⃣ Low drag force

  3️⃣ Fast velocity

  4️⃣ High drag force
• Why does drag force increase with velocity?

  More fluid must be pushed
• Why is terminal velocity constant?

  Gravity and air resistance are balanced
• What is terminal velocity defined as?

  Constant speed of falling object
• When gravity and air resistance are equal, an object stops accelerating and falls at a constant speed.


  True
• What are the two main forces acting on a falling object?

  Gravity and air resistance
• Match the velocity of an object with the corresponding drag force:

  Slow Velocity ↔️ Low Drag Force

  Fast Velocity ↔️ High Drag Force
• Equilibrium occurs when the drag force equals the weight of the object.


  True
• What is the approximate terminal velocity of a skydiver?

  200 km/h
• What is the terminal velocity of a feather?

  A few cm/s
• What type of resistance does a skydiver experience as they fall through the air?

  Air resistance
• Why is terminal velocity constant?

  Gravity equals air resistance
• Raindrops reach a terminal velocity of around 9 m/s