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 ▸A tennis ball is hit over a net with a speed of 45ms^-1 and has a mass of 30g. Calculate the kinetic energy of tennis ball.
Sound waves are longitudinal. Describe a longitudinal sound wave.
How much thermal energy does a 1 kg steel block with a specific heat capacity of 450 J/kg°C lose when it cools from 400°C to 60°C?
Sophia (mass 47Kg) is travelling to the right with a velocity of 7.2m/s and Neesha (mass 68Kg) is travelling to the left with a velocity 4.8m/s. When they meet, they hold hands and travel off together. Give their final velocity and direction