Terminal velocity

What is terminal velocity?

Terminal velocity is when a falling object is at it's MAXIMUM SPEED

What happens at the start when something is falling?

At the start it will ACCELERATE due to it's WEIGHT

What happens in the middle whilst something is falling?

In the middle the AIR RESISTANCE (frictional force) will get BIGGER until it is equal or greater than it's acceleration

What happens if the frictional force is bigger than the object's weight?

It will SLOW down

How could you decrease the terminal velocity?

By increasing SURFACE AREA

What two forces are involved when an object falls?

Air resistance and gravity

Which force is bigger in stage 1 of the fall?

Gravity/weight

Which force is bigger in stage 2 of the fall?

They are balanced - it is travelling at terminal velocity

Which force is bigger in stage 3 of the fall?

Air resistance

A sky diver reaches terminal velocity twice in his fall - which time is he travelling faster?

First terminal velocity section

In stage 1 of the fall are the forces balanced or unbalanced?

Unbalanced

In stage 4 of the fall are the forces balanced or unbalanced?

Balanced