This topic summary covers Topic Summary: 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. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 13 of 13 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 13 of 13
Practice
13 questions
Recall
11 flashcards
Topic Summary: Terminal Velocity
Key Terms
- Terminal velocity — constant speed when drag = weight
- Drag — resistive force opposing motion through a fluid
- Resultant force — net force after all forces added
- Weight — W = mg (downward gravitational force)
- Streamlining — shape designed to reduce drag
The Sequence to Terminal Velocity
- Weight > drag → resultant force down → acceleration
- Speed increases → drag increases
- Resultant force decreases → acceleration decreases
- Weight = drag → resultant = 0 → acceleration = 0
- Constant velocity = terminal velocity
V-T Graph Features
- Steep curve → decreasing curve → horizontal line
- Gradient = acceleration
- Area under graph = distance
- Parachute opening: steep negative gradient → new lower horizontal line
Factors Affecting Terminal Velocity
- Larger surface area → lower terminal velocity
- More streamlined → higher terminal velocity
- Greater weight/mass → higher terminal velocity
- Denser fluid → lower terminal velocity