Michael JensenTerminal Velocity
April 29th 2009 11:44
Well, today will be my first real post on a scientific law. And the law I have chosen to talk about is terminal velocity.
Terminal velocity is basically when a falling object can't fall any faster. For example, when a skydiver jumps out of a plane, there is a point at which he cannot accelerate any faster. If your arms and legs are spread out, that speed is about 124 MPH. But if you jump in a standing position, you can get going as fast as 180 MPH.
But why does this happen? Wouldn't it make sense if objects continued to accelerate forever? Maybe, but it doesn't happen that way. See, terminal velocity is where air resistance meets gravity. Air resistance occurs because air molecules smash into anything that's moving. Of course, the more surface area a falling object has, the more it is affected by air resistance. So when air resistance equals the weight of a falling object, that object cannot accelerate anymore.
But because terminal velocity is achieved when air resistance becomes equal to gravity, if either factor changed, so would terminal velocity. For example, it you were to skydive out of the edge of space, where there was vastly less air resistance, terminal velocity would be much higher. But lets say the Earth was much smaller. Since this small Earth would have less gravity, terminal velocity would be lower.
I hope I have been able to explain this law in a way that everyone can understand. But if not, just comment and let me know. Also, for more info on the subject of terminal velocity,visit this site:Terminal Velocity Info
Terminal velocity is basically when a falling object can't fall any faster. For example, when a skydiver jumps out of a plane, there is a point at which he cannot accelerate any faster. If your arms and legs are spread out, that speed is about 124 MPH. But if you jump in a standing position, you can get going as fast as 180 MPH.
But why does this happen? Wouldn't it make sense if objects continued to accelerate forever? Maybe, but it doesn't happen that way. See, terminal velocity is where air resistance meets gravity. Air resistance occurs because air molecules smash into anything that's moving. Of course, the more surface area a falling object has, the more it is affected by air resistance. So when air resistance equals the weight of a falling object, that object cannot accelerate anymore.
I hope I have been able to explain this law in a way that everyone can understand. But if not, just comment and let me know. Also, for more info on the subject of terminal velocity,visit this site:Terminal Velocity Info
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