What does the term terminal velocity mean?

Terminal velocity is the constant speed (in a particular direction) a body reaches when the forces are balanced, i.e. acceleration = 0 m s-2.

An example of this is a ball bearing dropped in oil.

⬆ Resistance (R)

O

⬇ Weight (W=mg)

Explanation: At first the forces are unbalanced and W > R so the ball accelerates downwards. The faster the ball moves the greater R is, so R is increasing. A point is reached where R = W. There is now no net force acting on the ball so it moves at a constant velocity (Newton's first law). This is the terminal velocity.

DD
Answered by Daisy D. Physics tutor

5061 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain, with reference to the Schwarzschild radius, why the sun isn’t a black hole.


What does the half life of radioactive substance mean?


Explain why the nuclear model of the atom replaced the plum pudding model of the atom?


A baseball player strikes a ball with an initial velocity of 43ms^-1 at an angle of 32° to the horizontal. How far does the ball travel horizontally in 4 seconds?


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