Briefly outline how a skydiver reaches terminal velocity.

This question is relating to the balancing of forces on a moving object.
The force on the skydiver will be equal to its weight multiplied by its acceleration (the acceleration will be equal to 9.8m/s/s - acceleration due to gravity). As they accelerate, there is a drag force due to air resistance which increases and the divers speed increases. The resultant of these two forces is the thing that allows the skydiver to continue to accelerate. The drag force will increase until it is equal to the force from the weight of the skydiver. When these two forces are equal, they will cancel out and there will be no acceleration i.e. the skydiver is moving at constant speed - terminal velocity.

WB
Answered by William B. Physics tutor

2455 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How much force is needed to bring a car to a halt over 5 seconds - the car is moving with velocity km/hr and with a mass of 1000kg.


Assuming no friction, describe the motion of a simple pendulum released from rest at t=0 at amplitude A? Provide information about its speed and position at characteristic times during one period. [The 1D equation of motion is described by a cosine]


Describe the energy changes as electricity is produced in a fossil fuel station.


The maximum speed this cyclist can travel on a level road is 14 m/s. How does cycling uphill affect the maximum speed of this cyclist? Explain your answer.


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning