Terminal Velocity

Definition

Terminal velocity is the constant speed that a freely falling object eventually reaches when the resistance of the medium through which it is falling prevents further acceleration. This occurs when the force of gravity pulling the object downward is balanced by the drag force acting upward against it, leading to a steady descent. Understanding terminal velocity is essential in analyzing the behavior of projectiles and objects in free fall, as it demonstrates the interplay between gravitational forces and air resistance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. An object's terminal velocity depends on its mass, shape, and the density of the fluid it's falling through; heavier objects generally have higher terminal velocities.
2. Terminal velocity for a skydiver in a belly-to-earth position is about 53 m/s, while in a head-down position, it can exceed 90 m/s due to reduced drag.
3. Reaching terminal velocity means that the net force acting on the object is zero, resulting in no further acceleration and constant speed during the fall.
4. In conditions where air resistance is minimal, such as in a vacuum, objects will continue to accelerate due to gravity without ever reaching terminal velocity.
5. The concept of terminal velocity has practical applications in various fields, including skydiving, parachuting, and understanding how objects behave during free fall.

Review Questions

• How does terminal velocity illustrate the balance between gravitational force and drag force for an object in free fall?
  • Terminal velocity occurs when an object in free fall experiences a balance between the gravitational force pulling it downward and the drag force pushing upward against it. As the object accelerates due to gravity, its velocity increases until the drag force grows strong enough to equal the weight of the object. At this point, the net force becomes zero, and the object no longer accelerates but continues to fall at a constant speed known as terminal velocity.
• Evaluate how factors such as mass and shape influence an object's terminal velocity when falling through a fluid like air.
  • An object's terminal velocity is significantly influenced by its mass and shape. A heavier object will generally have a higher terminal velocity because it experiences greater gravitational force compared to lighter objects. Additionally, an object's shape affects its drag coefficient; streamlined shapes experience less air resistance compared to more bulky or irregular shapes. Consequently, these factors combine to determine how quickly an object reaches its terminal velocity when falling through air.
• Discuss the implications of terminal velocity in real-world scenarios such as skydiving and parachuting, particularly regarding safety and equipment design.
  • Understanding terminal velocity is crucial for ensuring safety in skydiving and parachuting activities. Skydivers must be aware that they reach their terminal velocity after a certain period of free fall; this knowledge helps them plan their jumps effectively and deploy parachutes at appropriate altitudes. Equipment design also takes into account terminal velocity; parachutes are engineered to create sufficient drag that reduces descent speed below terminal velocity during landing, ensuring a safer touchdown. Overall, incorporating terminal velocity considerations enhances both safety protocols and equipment efficiency in these high-adrenaline sports.

Related terms

Drag Force: The force acting opposite to the relative motion of an object moving through a fluid, which increases with velocity until it balances gravitational force at terminal velocity.

Free Fall: The motion of an object where gravity is the only force acting upon it, typically observed when air resistance is negligible.

Acceleration Due to Gravity: The rate at which an object accelerates downward due to Earth's gravitational pull, approximately 9.81 m/s² near the surface.