1. What is Terminal Velocity?

Terminal velocity is the maximum velocity attainable by an object as it falls through a fluid (like air or water). It occurs when the sum of the drag force and buoyancy equals the downward force of gravity acting on the object.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the terminal velocity equation:

Where:

• \( v_t \) — Terminal velocity (m/s)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²)
• \( \rho \) — Density of the fluid (kg/m³)
• \( A \) — Projected cross-sectional area (m²)
• \( C_d \) — Drag coefficient (dimensionless)

Explanation: The equation balances gravitational force with drag force to find the equilibrium falling speed.

3. Importance of Terminal Velocity

Details: Understanding terminal velocity is crucial in fields like parachute design, skydiving, meteorology (for raindrop formation), and particle physics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms, fluid density in kg/m³ (1.225 kg/m³ for air at sea level), cross-sectional area in square meters, and the drag coefficient (typically 0.5-1.0 for many objects).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical drag coefficient for a human?
A: For a skydiver in belly-to-earth position, C_d ≈ 1.0. In head-down position, C_d ≈ 0.7.

Q2: How does altitude affect terminal velocity?
A: Higher altitudes have lower air density (ρ), resulting in higher terminal velocities for the same object.

Q3: What's the terminal velocity of a human skydiver?
A: Approximately 53 m/s (190 km/h or 120 mph) in belly-to-earth position at sea level.

Q4: Can terminal velocity be dangerous?
A: Yes, terminal velocity impacts can be fatal for humans (about 95% mortality rate for falls over 20 meters).

Q5: How do parachutes work in terms of terminal velocity?
A: Parachutes dramatically increase cross-sectional area (A) and drag coefficient (C_d), reducing terminal velocity to safe landing speeds (5-9 m/s).