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Terminal velocity is the constant speed reached by an object falling through the atmosphere when the force of air resistance matches the force of gravity. Parachutes increase air resistance, allowing a person to reach terminal velocity at a slower speed. This slower fall reduces the impact force when landing, making it safer for the person.

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How does air resistance affect terminal velocity?

Air resistance increases as an object's speed increases. At terminal velocity, the upward force of air resistance equals the downward force of gravity, resulting in a constant velocity. The greater the air resistance, the lower the terminal velocity of an object falling through the air.


How does terminal velocity affect a falling person without a parachute?

Terminal velocity is the maximum speed an object will attain, when all of the forces acting on it are balanced. A falling person has 2 forces acting on him: gravity and air resistance. Gravity is a relatively constant force and will remain the same during the entire fall (9.8m/s^2). The force due to air resistance increases as you travel faster. Therefore, as the person falls faster and faster, the force due to air resistance will increase until it is the same (but opposite direction) as gravity (meaning the person will not accelerate, and will travel at a constant speed/velocity). If this person has no parachute, they will have a low surface area for the air resistance to push on. This means they will reach a very high terminal velocity for the air resistance force to balance out gravity. A parachute greatly increases the surface area for air resistance to act and means that the person will not reach as high of a speed for the forces to balance out. Try this: swipe your hand through a body of water (like a pool or bathtub) with your fist clenched. The try again with your hand opened, but fingers together. The open hand will have more resistance (which means more force acting back on it) and will not reach the same velocity.


Why is it difficult to calculate the terminal velocity for a cat falling from a high rooftop?

Calculating the terminal velocity for a falling cat is challenging because it involves a complex interplay of factors such as the cat's shape, orientation, and surface area. The cat's movements and aerodynamics during the fall also affect its terminal velocity, making precise calculation difficult. Additionally, ethical considerations prevent conducting experiments that could provide accurate data on this scenario.


What factors affect terminal velocity in a fluid?

The factors that affect terminal velocity in a fluid include the weight and size of the object, the density and viscosity of the fluid, and the shape of the object. Objects with a larger surface area or lower weight will reach terminal velocity faster, while denser fluids or more streamlined objects will increase terminal velocity.


What is the terminal velocity of a bullet and how does it affect its trajectory and impact force?

The terminal velocity of a bullet is the maximum speed it can reach when falling through the air. This speed varies depending on the size and weight of the bullet. When a bullet reaches its terminal velocity, it will no longer accelerate and will fall at a constant speed. The terminal velocity of a bullet can affect its trajectory and impact force in several ways. A higher terminal velocity means the bullet will hit the target with more force, potentially causing more damage. Additionally, the trajectory of the bullet may be affected by air resistance at higher speeds, causing it to deviate from its intended path. Overall, the terminal velocity of a bullet plays a significant role in determining its impact on a target.

Related Questions

How will an object size and mass affect its terminal velocity?

The terminal velocity of a falling object depends upon its aerodynamics (which is to say, its shape) rather than its size and mass.


How does air ir resistance affect the accerleration of a falling object?

It slows the acceleration - possibly down to zero @ "terminal velocity".


How does air resistance affect terminal velocity?

Air resistance increases as an object's speed increases. At terminal velocity, the upward force of air resistance equals the downward force of gravity, resulting in a constant velocity. The greater the air resistance, the lower the terminal velocity of an object falling through the air.


How does terminal velocity affect a falling person without a parachute?

Terminal velocity is the maximum speed an object will attain, when all of the forces acting on it are balanced. A falling person has 2 forces acting on him: gravity and air resistance. Gravity is a relatively constant force and will remain the same during the entire fall (9.8m/s^2). The force due to air resistance increases as you travel faster. Therefore, as the person falls faster and faster, the force due to air resistance will increase until it is the same (but opposite direction) as gravity (meaning the person will not accelerate, and will travel at a constant speed/velocity). If this person has no parachute, they will have a low surface area for the air resistance to push on. This means they will reach a very high terminal velocity for the air resistance force to balance out gravity. A parachute greatly increases the surface area for air resistance to act and means that the person will not reach as high of a speed for the forces to balance out. Try this: swipe your hand through a body of water (like a pool or bathtub) with your fist clenched. The try again with your hand opened, but fingers together. The open hand will have more resistance (which means more force acting back on it) and will not reach the same velocity.


How does concentration of a fluid affect the motion of falling objects?

The higher the concentration of a fluid, the longer the time it takes for an object to fall and therefore the smaller the terminal velocity.


Why is it difficult to calculate the terminal velocity for a cat falling from a high rooftop?

Calculating the terminal velocity for a falling cat is challenging because it involves a complex interplay of factors such as the cat's shape, orientation, and surface area. The cat's movements and aerodynamics during the fall also affect its terminal velocity, making precise calculation difficult. Additionally, ethical considerations prevent conducting experiments that could provide accurate data on this scenario.


How does height affect the velocity of a falling body?

A falling object accelerates at a rate of 9.8 m/s2. That means that for every second that it is falling, its velocity increases by 9.8 m/s. The higher that the object is falling from, the longer it will have to speed up, thus the higher its velocity upon impact will be. (This is assuming that it does not reach terminal velocity, the velocity at which an object can no longer accelerate because it is travelling so fast that the drag force (air resistance) is equal to the force of gravity.)


What factors affect terminal velocity in a fluid?

The factors that affect terminal velocity in a fluid include the weight and size of the object, the density and viscosity of the fluid, and the shape of the object. Objects with a larger surface area or lower weight will reach terminal velocity faster, while denser fluids or more streamlined objects will increase terminal velocity.


What is the terminal velocity of a bullet and how does it affect its trajectory and impact force?

The terminal velocity of a bullet is the maximum speed it can reach when falling through the air. This speed varies depending on the size and weight of the bullet. When a bullet reaches its terminal velocity, it will no longer accelerate and will fall at a constant speed. The terminal velocity of a bullet can affect its trajectory and impact force in several ways. A higher terminal velocity means the bullet will hit the target with more force, potentially causing more damage. Additionally, the trajectory of the bullet may be affected by air resistance at higher speeds, causing it to deviate from its intended path. Overall, the terminal velocity of a bullet plays a significant role in determining its impact on a target.


How does air resistance affect fallig objects?

Air resistance acts as a frictional force that opposes the motion of a falling object. As an object falls, air resistance increases with velocity, slowing down the object's acceleration. This results in the object reaching a maximum speed known as terminal velocity, where the force of air resistance is equal to the force of gravity, causing the object to fall at a constant speed.


Does the shape of a parachute effect its falling time?

Yes, the shape of a parachute can affect its falling time. Parachutes with a larger surface area experience more air resistance, which slows down their descent. A parachute with a streamlined design can also affect how stable the descent is, impacting the overall falling time.


How does friction affect the descent of a parachute?

Friction between the air and the surface of a parachute slows down its descent by creating drag force, which opposes the force of gravity. This drag force increases as the parachute travels faster, eventually reaching a point where the forces balance out and the parachute reaches a constant speed called the terminal velocity. Friction is a crucial factor in ensuring a safe and controlled descent for a parachute.