Describe the forces acting on an object on earth falling through the air, and how they change from when the object is first released into the air leading to terminal velocity.

The two forces acting on the object are weight due to gravity pulling the object towards earth, and drag resisting this motion. When the object is first released, drag is small as velocity is low, so the resultant force is down. This means the object accelerates towards earth. As the object gains speed, drag increases until it equals the magnitude of the force down due to gravity. At this point, resultant force is zero and so the object stops accelerating, and maintains the same velocity. This is called terminal velocity.

JE
Answered by Julia E. Physics tutor

31046 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Find the period of a wave given that it has a speed of 200m/s and a wavelength of 2m


What was the Rutherford gold foil experiment


A coal fire is burning in the bottom of a furnace, with a chimney above it. Air moves into the furnace from an opening at the bottom and up the chimney. Describe how the process of convection causes this air movement.


If a car drives at 5 ms^-1 for 10 seconds and then 6 ms^-1 for 5 seconds, how far has it travelled in total?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences