How does a skydiver reach terminal velocity?

At the start of the jump, the skydiver starts accelerating downwards due to his weight (force of gravity). There is a resultant force downwards as the weight is larger than the air resistance (weight>air resistance). As the skydiver accelerates and increases her speed, the air resistance on the skydiver increases. At terminal velocity, the air resistance has become so large that it equals the weight of the skydiver (weight=air resistance). This is because there is no resultant force on the skydiver - the weight and air resistance cancel each other out, therefore, the skydiver is no longer accelerating. This means that it has reached terminal velocity and is not increasing/decreasing her speed anymore.

TN

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe one method by which the distance to stars from Earth is measured, and one modern improvement to this method which increases its accuracy.


Describe the forces acting on a skydiver jumping out of a plane and explain why opening a parachute reduces the velocity


X-rays and gamma rays are two types of electromagnetic radiation, state two ways in which they differ from microwave radiation


What are the 3 main types of radiation?