Question
When does a skydiver achieve terminal velocity? when gravity equals air resistance when gravity is greater than air resistance when air resistance acts on the diver and gravity does not when gravity acts on the diver and air resistance does not
Answer
4.7
(247 Votes)
Vernon
Professional · Tutor for 6 years
Answer
'when gravity equals air resistance'
Explanation
## Step 1Terminal velocity is a concept in physics that refers to the maximum constant speed that a freely falling object reaches when the resistance of the medium through which it is falling prevents further acceleration. This occurs because the speed causes a drag force that balances the gravitational pull on the object.## Step 2The force of gravity on the object is always constant, but the force of air resistance increases with the speed of the object. When the object reaches a certain speed, the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity.## Step 3At this point, the forces are balanced and the object stops accelerating and falls at a constant speed, which is the terminal velocity.