Terminal Velocity of Giant Drop

[awesomeride 0]

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?

[Gazza 2,263]

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.

[joz 2,794]

Seriously, whats to get?

[Spotty 173]

I think if I tried to work that sum out, my head or calculator would explode!

[Derwan 0]

what is it's terminal velocity?

Bloody fast!!