What is the formula for terminal velocity?
GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer
Terminal velocity is:
v_t = √(2mg/ρAC_d)
where m is mass, g is gravity, ρ (rho) is air density, A is cross-sectional area, and C_d is the drag coefficient.
Why area matters:
- Larger area = more air resistance = lower terminal velocity
- This is why skydivers spread out to slow down and tuck in to speed up
- Terminal velocity for humans: ~53 m/s (190 km/h) belly-down, ~90 m/s (320 km/h) head-down
Concept: Terminal velocity is reached when drag force equals gravitational force—the object stops accelerating and falls at constant speed.
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