Comparing Terminal Velocities
Part of Terminal Velocity · GCSE GCSE Physics revision
This comparison covers Comparing Terminal Velocities within Terminal Velocity for GCSE Physics. Revise Terminal Velocity in Extra Topics for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 11 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 5 of 13 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 5 of 13
Practice
13 questions
Recall
11 flashcards
💪 Comparing Terminal Velocities
| Object | Approximate terminal velocity | Key reason |
|---|---|---|
| Skydiver (no parachute) | ~55 m/s (120 mph) | Relatively streamlined body position |
| Skydiver (parachute open) | ~5 m/s (11 mph) | Huge surface area of canopy |
| Feather | ~0.5 m/s | Very light — tiny weight to overcome drag |
| Steel ball bearing | Very high (in air) | Heavy, dense, small surface area |
Keep building this topic
Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Terminal Velocity. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.
Practice Questions for Terminal Velocity
An object reaches terminal velocity when falling through air. Which statement correctly describes the forces at terminal velocity?
Explain how a skydiver reaches terminal velocity after jumping from a plane. Include changes to forces and acceleration in your answer.
Quick Recall Flashcards
13 questions on Terminal Velocity — practise free
Instant marking, adaptive difficulty, and 11 spaced repetition flashcards. Free until your GCSEs.
Try PrepWise Free