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

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Draw the circuit that could be used to investigate how the current through a filament lamp affects its resistance. How could it be used to investigate this? (6 marks)


Using the principle of the conservation of energy, calculate the maximum speed of a ball of 5.0kg that has been dropped from a height of 20m. (Given that the gravitational field strength is equal to 9.8N/kg)


If Hannah slows down from a speed of 12 m/s to 8 m/s and has a mass of 45kg, how much force has been exerted on her to cause this deceleration?


What's the difference between distance and displacement