terminal velocity

what is terminal velocity?

when the car moves at a constant top speed and the resultant force is 0

what affects a car’s terminal velocity?

• terrain

• horsepower/engine power

• streamlined shape

• mass

the force is proportional to…

acceleration, as long as the mass is constant

describe a skydiver’s journey (6 steps)

1. weight is the only force acting downwards so the skydiver accelerates in the direction of the resultant force (resultant force = skydiver’s weight, so forces are unbalanced)

2. as the skydiver accelerates, velocity and air resistance increases (resultant force is less, so acceleration is less)

3. eventually, air resistance is equal to weight and the skydiver moves at constant terminal velocity (resultant force = , as the forces are balanced)

4. skydiver opens the parachute and the increased surface area results in increased air resistance (unbalanced forces, skydiver decelerates)

5. skydiver decelerates so velocity decreases and air resistance decreases

6. eventually, air resistance = weight so the skydiver moves at a lower terminal velocity (resultant force = 0, balanced forces)

what factors affect an object’s terminal velocity?

• shape (streamline?) (more pointed objects have a higher terminal velocity)

• size/surface area (smaller objects have a higher terminal velocity)

• smoothness (smoother objects have a higher terminal velocity)

• mass (higher mass = larger weight)