Arikka Gooch

Group Project

Terminal Velocity
When a free falling object moving through a viscous field reaches maximum velocity, we
call this the terminal velocity. An object that is dropped from rest will increase its speed until it
achieves terminal velocity. At terminal velocity, air resistance is equal to the weight of the falling
object. Since the two are oppositely directed forces, the total force on the object is zero, and the
speed of the object has become constant.
Air resistance depends heavily on the size and shape of the object. Objects with a large
surface area, like a parachute, will have a much lower terminal velocity than objects with a
smaller surface area, like a person falling from a plane. The weight of the object does affect the
air resistance on the object and, therefore, its terminal velocity. For a heavy object, the terminal
velocity is generally greater than for a lighter object.
When a skydiver steps out of the plane, his/her vertical velocity is 0 m/s, so air resistance
is zero. This means that the force of gravity is the only force acting on his/her mass/weight. That
means that his/her vertical velocity is rapidly increasing. As the speed of the skydiver increases
every second while falling, air resistance also increases. This results in a smaller net force acting
on the skydiver. He/she is still getting faster, but not at the same rate as he/she initially did.
Eventually air resistance equals the weight of the skydiver. If there is no net force, that
means there is no acceleration. The velocity will remain constant. It has finally reached terminal
velocity.

Arikka Gooch
Group Project
Resources

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/airfri2.html
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/terminal-velocity
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-terminal-velocity-definition-formulacalculation-examples.html
https://www.britannica.com/science/terminal-velocity

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0IZsfzDS4s