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 ▸why does applying the brakes of a car cause the temperature of the breaks to increase?
As a student rubs his feet along the carpet in his living room, he becomes charged. After this he places his hand on a metal radiator and receives an electric shock. Explain what charge the student obtains, why, and why he receives a shock.
Help! How do I rearrange equations?
If newton's 3rd law is true how does anything move?