A-LEVEL PHYSICS: 4.3.6: Terminal Velocity

Question 1

What is the only Force acting on a body in Free Fall?

Answer 1

Weight. Acceleration g is only due to Gravity.

Question 2

The ___ Force Increases as the skydiver ___.

Answer 2

Drag, Accelerates

Question 3

As the skydiver Accelerates, the ___ Force Increases.
Due to Newton’s 2nd Law, this means the Resultant Force Downwards ___ (he ___).

Answer 3

Drag, Decreases, Decelerates

Question 4

When will a Skydiver no longer Accelerate? What instead happens at this point?

Answer 4

When the Drag Force = Force of Weight

He will fall at a Constant Velocity.

Question 5

What is ‘Terminal Velocity’?

Answer 5

Terminal Velocity is the maximum Velocity that an Object can travel at, and is reached when there is No Resultant Force.

Question 6

Explain the Journey of a Skydiver: (6)

Answer 6

-Skydiver is in Free Fall. (Acceleration = g)

-Velocity Increases due to the Downward Force of Weight (Acceleration = g)

-Increase in Velocity means Air Resistance also Increases (collides w more air particles), & Acceleration Decreases.

-Eventually, Downwards Force of Weight = Upwards Resistive Force of Air Resistance / Drag.

-Terminal Velocity (Acceleration = 0)