Exam Tips for Terminal Velocity
Part of Terminal Velocity · GCSE GCSE Physics revision
This exam tips covers Exam Tips for Terminal Velocity 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 12 of 13 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Topic position
Section 12 of 13
Practice
13 questions
Recall
11 flashcards
💡 Exam Tips for Terminal Velocity
🎯 Common Question Types:
- Describe terminal velocity and the forces involved [2 marks]
- Sketch and annotate a v-t graph for a skydiver [3-4 marks]
- Explain the effect of opening a parachute [3 marks]
- State and explain factors affecting terminal velocity [2 marks each]
- Calculate acceleration from v-t graph gradient [2 marks]
📝 Key Command Words:
- Describe — state what happens without explaining why
- Explain — give the reason using forces and Newton's laws
- Sketch — draw a diagram, labelled but not to scale
- State — give the answer without any working or explanation
- Calculate — use numbers from the graph to find a value
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Saying "no forces act" at terminal velocity — forces are balanced, not absent
- Confusing terminal velocity with stopping — the object is still moving at constant speed
- Reading gradient of a distance-time graph as acceleration — it gives speed, not acceleration
- Forgetting to mention resultant force in explanation questions
- Drawing the v-t graph incorrectly — the approach to terminal velocity should be a curve (not straight), getting less steep over time
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.
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