How to Calculate Terminal Velocity
What is Terminal Velocity?
Terminal velocity is the maximum speed a falling object reaches when air resistance equals gravitational force. It depends on mass, cross-sectional area, and drag coefficient.
Formula
v_terminal = √(2 × m × g / (ρ × A × C_d))
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Enter mass, drag coefficient, cross-sectional area
- 2Enter fluid density and gravitational acceleration
- 3Calculate terminal velocity from the formula
Worked Examples
Input
m = 80 kg, A = 0.5 m², C_d = 1.2, ρ = 1.2 kg/m³
Result
v_t ≈ 52 m/s
~187 km/h or 116 mph for human skydiver
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Wrong drag coefficient for shape
- ✕Using height instead of area
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