Difference between revisions of "Terminal Velocity"
(Created page with "==Key Stage 4== ===Meaning=== '''Terminal velocity''' is the velocity a falling object reaches when the forces of drag and weight on that object are ...") |
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: '''Terminal velocity''' depends on the [[density]] and shape of an [[object]]. | : '''Terminal velocity''' depends on the [[density]] and shape of an [[object]]. | ||
: '''Terminal velocity''' is the maximum [[velocity]] an [[object]] will reach when falling due to [[gravity]]. | : '''Terminal velocity''' is the maximum [[velocity]] an [[object]] will reach when falling due to [[gravity]]. | ||
| + | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| + | |+ This penguin has just jumped out of a plane. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |[[File:TerminalVelocity1.png|center|200px]] | ||
| + | | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:left;" |At the start the penguin is not yet moving and the only [[force]] acting on the penguin is its [[weight]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Resultant Force]] = [[Weight]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | So the [[Resultant Force|resultant force]] is large which means the [[acceleration]] will be large. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |[[File:TerminalVelocity2.png|center|200px]] | ||
| + | | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:left;" |As the penguin starts to [[accelerate]] its small [[velocity]] results in an [[Air Resistance|air resistance]] that acts against its [[weight]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Resultant Force]] = [[Weight]] - [[Air Resistance]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | So the [[Resultant Force|resultant force]] is less than it was so the [[acceleration]] will be less. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |[[File:TerminalVelocity3.png|center|200px]] | ||
| + | | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:left;" |As the penguin [[accelerate]]s more its hight [[velocity]] results in more [[Air Resistance|air resistance]] that acts against its [[weight]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Resultant Force]] = [[Weight]] - [[Air Resistance]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | So the [[Resultant Force|resultant force]] is even smaller than it was so the [[acceleration]] will be smaller. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |[[File:TerminalVelocity4.png|center|200px]] | ||
| + | | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:left;" |Once the penguin is moving fast enough the [[velocity]] results in an [[Air Resistance|air resistance]] that is as large as the [[weight]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Resultant Force]] = [[Weight]] - [[Air Resistance]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Resultant Force]] = 0N | ||
| + | |||
| + | So there is no [[Resultant Force|resultant force]] and so the [[acceleration]] will be zero. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The penguin has reached '''terminal velocity'''. | ||
| + | |} | ||
Revision as of 13:50, 13 February 2019
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Terminal velocity is the velocity a falling object reaches when the forces of drag and weight on that object are balanced.
About Terminal Velocity
- Terminal velocity depends on the density and shape of an object.
- Terminal velocity is the maximum velocity an object will reach when falling due to gravity.
 |
At the start the penguin is not yet moving and the only force acting on the penguin is its weight.
So the resultant force is large which means the acceleration will be large. |
 |
As the penguin starts to accelerate its small velocity results in an air resistance that acts against its weight.
Resultant Force = Weight - Air Resistance So the resultant force is less than it was so the acceleration will be less. |
 |
As the penguin accelerates more its hight velocity results in more air resistance that acts against its weight.
Resultant Force = Weight - Air Resistance So the resultant force is even smaller than it was so the acceleration will be smaller. |
 |
Once the penguin is moving fast enough the velocity results in an air resistance that is as large as the weight.
Resultant Force = Weight - Air Resistance Resultant Force = 0N So there is no resultant force and so the acceleration will be zero. The penguin has reached terminal velocity. |