awesomeride 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2008 i was reading all these websites that say the giant drop reaches 'almost terminal velocity'.. what is it's terminal velocity and how do you work it out? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gazza 1,408 Report post Posted June 15, 2008 This probably explains it better than me. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_velocity As you can see, its a pretty complex thing to work out. But basically, if there was no air friction things would keep accelerating at 9.8 ms^-2 until they hit the ground. But in reality air friction causes drag, and the faster you are moving the more drag occurs. When it is falling fast enough the upward drag forces will equal the downward weight force of the object, and since the net force on it is zero it stops accelerating, and just keeps falling at a constant rate instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joz 2,149 Report post Posted June 15, 2008 Seriously, whats to get? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spotty 119 Report post Posted June 15, 2008 I think if I tried to work that sum out, my head or calculator would explode! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derwan 0 Report post Posted June 20, 2008 what is it's terminal velocity? Bloody fast!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
