What Happens When a Falling Object Reaches Terminal Velocity?
Quick Answer
When a falling object reaches terminal velocity, it stops accelerating and continues to fall at a constant speed. This occurs when the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity.
When a falling object reaches terminal velocity, it signifies a crucial point in its descent. Initially, as the object falls, gravity exerts a downward force that causes it to accelerate—meaning its speed increases. However, as the object gains speed, it encounters air resistance, a force that acts in the opposite direction, pushing upwards against the motion.
As the object continues to fall, the force of air resistance gradually increases. Eventually, this upward force becomes equal to the downward force of gravity. At this moment, the net force acting on the object becomes zero, meaning there is no longer any acceleration. Instead, the object continues to fall, but now at a constant speed known as terminal velocity.
To visualize this, imagine dropping a skydiver from a plane. At first, the skydiver accelerates towards the ground due to gravity. However, as they pick up speed, air resistance increases. Once the forces of gravity and air resistance balance out, the skydiver stops accelerating and falls at a steady rate until they deploy their parachute. This principle is not only applicable to skydivers but also to other falling objects, such as raindrops or a feather.
Terminal velocity varies depending on the shape and mass of the falling object. For instance, a skydiver in a spread-eagle position has a terminal velocity of about 53 m/s (around 120 mph), while a small raindrop might have a much lower terminal velocity, making it fall more gently.
Understanding terminal velocity is important in various fields, including physics, engineering, and even safety measures in activities like skydiving or bungee jumping. It helps us comprehend how different factors can influence the motion of falling objects and the roles that forces play in our physical world.
So, when you selected the answer "It stops accelerating," you were indeed correct. The object will continue to move but without increasing its speed—hence the definition of terminal velocity. For a deeper dive into the forces involved, you may want to explore related equations and graphs that illustrate these concepts in more detail.
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