The Science of Terminal Velocity: Explained with Newton's First Law of Motion

The video explains how a falling object reaches terminal velocity by applying Newton's first law of motion. Initially, the object accelerates due to gravity, with no air resistance. As it speeds up, air resistance increases, reducing the resultant force and acceleration. Eventually, air resistance equals the object's weight, resulting in zero acceleration and constant speed, known as terminal velocity. The velocity-time graph illustrates this process, showing decreasing acceleration as the object approaches terminal velocity.

What happens to the air resistance on a falling object at the moment it is released?

• It is greater than the weight of the object.

• It causes the object to move upwards.

• It is zero.

• It is equal to the weight of the object.

As a falling object accelerates, what happens to the air resistance acting on it?

• It increases.

• It decreases.

• It remains constant.

• It becomes zero.

When does a falling object reach terminal velocity?

• When air resistance is less than the weight.

• When air resistance equals the weight.

• When air resistance is greater than the weight.

• When the object stops moving.

What does the gradient of a velocity-time graph represent in the context of a falling object?

• The object's weight.

• The object's air resistance.

• The object's speed.

• The object's acceleration.

As a falling object approaches terminal velocity, what happens to the gradient of the velocity-time graph?

• It remains constant.

• It approaches zero.

• It becomes steeper.

• It becomes negative.