2.6 Terminal Velocity

• Weight is the force exerted on an object by gravity.


  True
• Air resistance opposes the motion of an object through the air and increases with speed
• What happens to the forces when an object reaches terminal velocity?

  Forces are balanced
• What happens to air resistance as the speed of an object increases?

  Air resistance increases
• Air resistance increases as the speed of an object increases.


  True
• When an object falls through the air, the only two forces acting on it are weight and air resistance.


  True
• What happens to air resistance as an object's speed increases?

  It increases
• The weight of an object remains constant throughout its fall.


  True
• What two factors affect terminal velocity?

  Weight and cross-sectional area
• What is the resultant force on an object at terminal velocity?

  Zero
• Baseballs experience air resistance and eventually reach terminal velocity
• Stages of an object falling through air

  1️⃣ Initial Fall: Weight high, air resistance low

  2️⃣ Approaching Terminal Velocity: Air resistance increasing

  3️⃣ Terminal Velocity Reached: Forces balanced
• What happens to the resultant force when an object reaches terminal velocity?

  It becomes zero
• At terminal velocity, the forces on an object are in equilibrium
• An object reaches terminal velocity when its weight equals air resistance, resulting in equilibrium.


  True
• Higher weight results in a higher terminal velocity
• Raindrops fall at a consistent terminal velocity to prevent excessive force
• What is terminal velocity defined as?

  Constant maximum velocity
• Order the stages of a falling object until it reaches terminal velocity.

  1️⃣ Initial: Weight is greater than air resistance, causing acceleration

  2️⃣ Acceleration: Air resistance increases as speed increases

  3️⃣ Terminal Velocity: Weight equals air resistance, resulting in constant speed
• An object reaches terminal velocity when the upward air resistance equals the downward weight
• Terminal velocity occurs when the weight of the object equals the air resistance
• Terminal velocity occurs when the weight of the object equals the air resistance
• What force pulls an object downwards when it falls through the air?

  Weight
• Steps in the process of reaching terminal velocity

  1️⃣ Weight is greater than air resistance

  2️⃣ Object accelerates downwards

  3️⃣ Air resistance increases

  4️⃣ Air resistance equals weight

  5️⃣ Terminal velocity is reached
• At terminal velocity, the forces are balanced, and the object is in equilibrium
• Stages of an object reaching terminal velocity

  1️⃣ Weight is greater than air resistance

  2️⃣ Object accelerates downwards

  3️⃣ Air resistance increases proportionally

  4️⃣ Air resistance equals weight

  5️⃣ Terminal velocity is reached
• Heavier objects have higher terminal velocities because a greater weight needs more air resistance
• Parachutists use parachutes to increase air resistance and reduce their terminal velocity.


  True
• What is terminal velocity defined as?

  Constant maximum velocity
• Weight is the force exerted on an object by gravity and remains constant during its fall.


  True
• Match the force with its effect on motion:

  Weight ↔️ Causes downward acceleration

  Air Resistance ↔️ Slows down the object
• What happens to air resistance as the speed of an object increases?

  It increases
• Stages of an object falling through air and reaching terminal velocity

  1️⃣ Initial Fall: Weight high, air resistance low

  2️⃣ Approaching Terminal Velocity: Air resistance increasing

  3️⃣ Terminal Velocity Reached: Forces balanced
• A larger cross-sectional area leads to lower terminal velocity due to increased air resistance.

  True
• Feathers have large cross-sectional areas and low weights, resulting in lower terminal velocities.


  True
• Equilibrium occurs when weight equals air resistance, resulting in zero acceleration.


  True
• Weight remains constant throughout the fall of an object.


  True
• What is the force that opposes the motion of an object through the air called?

  Air resistance
• What is the definition of constant maximum velocity in the context of terminal velocity?

  The highest speed while falling
• Weight is the force of gravity pulling the object downwards