Question 1: Terminal velocity is the constant speed that a freely falling object reaches when the force of gravity pulling it downward is balanced by the air resistance pushing upward. At this point, the object no longer accelerates.

Answer: Terminal velocity is the constant speed reached when gravity and air resistance are balanced, causing no further acceleration.

Question 1: What are the two main forces acting on a falling object that determine its terminal velocity?

Answer: Gravity and air resistance.

Question 2: Explain why an object eventually reaches terminal velocity during free fall.

Answer: Because as the object speeds up, air resistance increases until it balances the force of gravity, resulting in no further acceleration.

Question 1: Calculate the terminal velocity of a 70 kg skydiver with a drag coefficient of 1.0, a cross-sectional area of 0.7 m², and air density of 1.225 kg/m³. Use the formula: Vt = sqrt((2 * m * g) / (ρ * A * Cd)).

Answer: Approximately 53.4 m/s

Question 2: A small drone with a mass of 2 kg reaches a terminal velocity of 15 m/s. If the air density is 1.225 kg/m³ and the drone's drag coefficient is 0.8, what is its approximate cross-sectional area? Use the formula: A = (2 * m * g) / (ρ * Cd * Vt²).

Answer: Approximately 0.028 m²

Question 1: Describe a simple experiment that could be conducted to demonstrate how the size of an object affects its terminal velocity.

Answer: Students could drop objects of different sizes but similar shape and mass from the same height and measure the time taken to reach terminal velocity, observing that larger objects may reach higher terminal velocities due to differences in drag.

Question 2: List two safety precautions students should take when performing free-fall experiments involving objects from height.

Answer: Ensure the area below is clear of obstacles, and use safety equipment like helmets or padding if necessary.

Question 1: A parachutist opens their parachute at a height where their falling speed is 55 m/s. Explain what happens to their terminal velocity after opening the parachute and why.

Answer: When the parachute opens, air resistance greatly increases, reducing the parachutist's terminal velocity to a much lower value, allowing a safe and controlled descent.

Question 2: Discuss one industry or technology that relies on understanding terminal velocity and explain its importance.

Answer: The design of parachutes relies heavily on understanding terminal velocity to ensure safe descent. Properly calculated parachute sizes and materials allow for controlled speeds, preventing injuries during landings.