What is terminal velocity and what causes it?

Initially, when you drop an object the only force acting on it is gravity. This accelerates the object towards the ground. As the objects speed increases so does the force of air resitance acting on the object. Eventually the force of air resitance acting upwards becomes equal to the force of gravity acting downwards. At this point, there is zero net force acting on the object and so it moves at a constant speed. It is this constant speed we call terminal velocity.

CL
Answered by Calum L. Physics tutor

2095 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Write the equations of motion for constant acceleration and describe each term involved. Explain how to apply these equations of motion to calculate the horizontal and vertical components of a projectile moving under the force of gravity only.


How can an object accelerate without changing speed?


The lamp has an efficiency of 20%. Explain what this means.


A block of mass 5kg moving in a straight line at constant speed travels 50 metres in 14 seconds. Calculate the block's momentum.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning