Terminal Velocity
When a skydiver first jumps off a hovering helicopter, her velocity is increasing, meaning she is accelerating downwards. Soon though, as she accelerates downwards, more and more air particles are hitting her body, causing an increase in AIR RESISTANCE. Eventually, air resistance is enough to balance her weight. This balance of forces produces NO RESULTANT FORCE, therefore she gains no more speed. This is called TERMINAL VELOCITY.
If the skydiver chooses to open her parachute (hopefully she will!), the large surface area from the parachute greatly increases air resistance.
The air resistance is now GREATER than the weight, resulting in an UNBALANCED FORCE which causes the parachutist to DECELERATE.
Soon, as her speed decreases the chance of her body being hit by many air particles, air resistance begins to decrease. Soon, air resistance and weight are AGAIN BALANCED, but the skydiver is now at a NEW, SLOWER, TERMINAL VELOCITY.
*If the parachutist used a larger parachute, the terminal velocity speed would be affected. A larger parachute means a larger surface area, which reduces her speed, meaning the terminal velocity the parachutist will reach will be slower.
If the skydiver chooses to open her parachute (hopefully she will!), the large surface area from the parachute greatly increases air resistance.
The air resistance is now GREATER than the weight, resulting in an UNBALANCED FORCE which causes the parachutist to DECELERATE.
Soon, as her speed decreases the chance of her body being hit by many air particles, air resistance begins to decrease. Soon, air resistance and weight are AGAIN BALANCED, but the skydiver is now at a NEW, SLOWER, TERMINAL VELOCITY.
*If the parachutist used a larger parachute, the terminal velocity speed would be affected. A larger parachute means a larger surface area, which reduces her speed, meaning the terminal velocity the parachutist will reach will be slower.
amanda_flash_version.fla | |
File Size: | 724 kb |
File Type: | fla |