Terminal Velocity · TheLucidSTEM

Interactive Simulator · Drag and terminal velocity

Falling to a Steady Speed

Drop the skydiver and watch the free-body diagram. The weight stays the same length, but the drag arrow grows as the object speeds up. The moment the two arrows are equal and opposite, the resultant is zero and the speed locks at its terminal value. Then deploy a parachute and watch the balance break and re-settle.

Mission Reach terminal velocity and check the two force arrows are equal and opposite. Then deploy the parachute. Streak 0Best 0

Mass m 75 kg

Air resistance (drag factor k) 0.3

Once the object reaches terminal velocity, the resultant force on it is:

weight W = mg (constant)735.8 N

drag D = k v² (grows with v²)0.0 N

resultant force (W − D)735.8 N

velocity v / terminal velocity0.0 / 49.5 m/s

While D < W the object accelerates; when D = W the arrows are equal and opposite, the resultant is zero, and v is constant.