Question 1: Terminal velocity is the constant speed that a freely falling object reaches when the force of gravity is balanced by the drag force acting against it. Explain in your own words why an object stops accelerating once it reaches terminal velocity.

Answer: Because at terminal velocity, the upward drag force equals the downward gravitational force, resulting in zero net force and no further acceleration.

Question 2: List the forces acting on a skydiver during free fall before reaching terminal velocity.

Answer: Gravity pulling downward and air resistance (drag) pushing upward.

Question 1: What factors influence the terminal velocity of an object?

Answer: Object's mass, cross-sectional area, shape, and the density of the fluid (air).

Question 2: Describe how the shape of an object affects its terminal velocity.

Answer: A more streamlined shape reduces drag, allowing a higher terminal velocity.

Question 1: Calculate the terminal velocity of a 0.5 kg spherical aluminium ball with a cross-sectional area of 1×10⁻⁴ m², a drag coefficient of 0.5, and falling in air with a density of 1.225 kg/m³.

Answer: v_t = √(2×0.5×9.8 / (1.225×1×10⁻⁴×0.5)) ≈ 59.9 m/s

Question 2: A feather with a mass of 0.002 kg and a cross-sectional area of 2×10⁻⁴ m² falls through the air. Using the same formula, estimate its terminal velocity assuming the drag coefficient is 1.0.

Answer: v_t = √(2×0.002×9.8 / (1.225×2×10⁻⁴×1.0)) ≈ 8.0 m/s

Question 1: Describe a simple experimental setup to measure the terminal velocity of a small object falling through air. Include the variables you would control and measure.

Answer: Use a tall transparent tube with a stopwatch or motion sensor to record the time taken for the object to fall. Control variables include object shape, size, and mass. Measure the fall time and height to calculate velocity. Ensure safety precautions such as securing the setup and avoiding drafts.

Question 2: Identify the main variables that affect the terminal velocity and explain how changing each variable would influence the result.

Answer: Mass increases terminal velocity; larger cross-sectional area or higher drag coefficient decreases it; higher air density increases drag and reduces terminal velocity.

Question 1: An object with a mass of 1 kg, cross-sectional area of 5×10⁻⁴ m², and drag coefficient of 0.6 is falling through air with a density of 1.225 kg/m³. Its measured fall time over a height of 50 meters is 4.0 seconds. Does this fall time suggest the object has reached its terminal velocity? Explain your reasoning.

Answer: Calculate the average velocity: 50 m / 4.0 s = 12.5 m/s. Use the formula to find theoretical terminal velocity: v_t ≈ 14.4 m/s. Since the measured velocity is close to the calculated terminal velocity, it suggests the object has nearly reached terminal velocity during the fall.

Question 1: Explain how understanding terminal velocity is important in designing parachutes.

Answer: Parachutes increase air resistance, decreasing terminal velocity to allow a safe and controlled descent.

Question 2: Describe how knowledge of terminal velocity can influence safety measures in skydiving and aerospace industries.

Answer: It helps in designing equipment and protocols to ensure safe descent speeds, reducing the risk of injury or damage upon landing.