In which situation does terminal velocity occur?

In which situation does terminal velocity occur?

• A. When an object is constantly accelerating
• B. When gravitational force exceeds drag force
• C. When drag force equals weight of the object
• D. When air resistance is negligible

Answer: (C)

Terminal velocity occurs when the forces acting on an object falling through a fluid, such as air, reach a state of equilibrium. This happens when the upward drag force, which increases with the object's speed, becomes equal to the downward force of gravity acting on the object (its weight). At this point, the net force on the object is zero, resulting in no further acceleration; the object continues to fall at a constant speed, which is referred to as terminal velocity. When drag force equals the weight of the object, the balance between these two forces stops any further increase in speed, meaning the object has reached its terminal velocity. This is a critical concept in understanding how objects behave when moving through fluids and why they do not continue to accelerate indefinitely under the influence of gravity.

Terminal velocity occurs when the forces acting on an object falling through a fluid, such as air, reach a state of equilibrium. This happens when the upward drag force, which increases with the object's speed, becomes equal to the downward force of gravity acting on the object (its weight). At this point, the net force on the object is zero, resulting in no further acceleration; the object continues to fall at a constant speed, which is referred to as terminal velocity.

When drag force equals the weight of the object, the balance between these two forces stops any further increase in speed, meaning the object has reached its terminal velocity. This is a critical concept in understanding how objects behave when moving through fluids and why they do not continue to accelerate indefinitely under the influence of gravity.