This definitions covers Key Terms within Terminal Velocity for GCSE Physics. Revise Terminal Velocity in Extra Topics for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 11 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 6 of 13 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.
Topic position
Section 6 of 13
Practice
13 questions
Recall
11 flashcards
📖 Key Terms
- Terminal velocity
- The constant (maximum) velocity reached by a falling object when the drag force equals the weight, so the resultant force is zero and there is no further acceleration.
- Drag (air resistance)
- A resistive force that acts on objects moving through a fluid (liquid or gas), opposing the direction of motion. Drag increases as speed increases.
- Resultant force
- The overall (net) force acting on an object when all individual forces are added together, taking direction into account.
- Weight
- The gravitational force acting on an object, equal to mass multiplied by gravitational field strength (W = mg). Weight acts downward towards the centre of the Earth.
- Streamlining
- Designing an object with a smooth, tapered shape to reduce drag at high speeds. Aeroplanes and racing cars are streamlined.