velocity
2007-07-16 15:47:32 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
When you fall off of something, like say the top of a building that is 1000ft tall - you will gain velocity (or speed) in the beginning. This will continue until the amount of "pull" or force that gravity imparts on you is maxed out and the "drag" or wind resistance (friction) comes to an equilibrium, balancing each other out and giving you a terminal velocity. Gravity pulls more on things that are heavy, and friction is large with larger volumes (or area) - this is what will determine your terminal velocity. Hope this helps - good question!
2007-07-16 16:10:45 · answer #1 · answered by brix510 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is the maximum speed an object under freefall can reach. At this point the sum of the resistive forces = weight of the object.
E.g. A skydiver
Viscous drag force + Upthrust = Weight - hence no unbalanced forces, no acceleration, constant velocity.
2007-07-16 22:53:01 · answer #2 · answered by Tsumego 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The maximum speed a falling object can reach with gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s^2).
For an average sized male its about 120 mph (as seen on Mythbusters).
2007-07-16 22:50:33 · answer #3 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gravity is pulling you down roughly 9.8m/s. that is essentially the constant at which you fall.
since, gravity can't pull you down any faster then 9.8m/s that is what you call terminal velocity.
2007-07-16 23:03:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋