Terminal Velocity (Advanced) Calculator
Calculate the terminal velocity of a falling object: v_t = sqrt(2 m g / (rho Cd A)), where drag equals weight.
Terminal Velocity
42.7763 m/s
Terminal Velocity vs Object Mass
Fórmula
## Terminal Velocity When a falling object's drag force equals its weight, it stops accelerating and falls at a constant speed. ### Formula **v_t = sqrt(2mg / (rho Cd A))** Derived from setting drag equal to weight: 0.5 Cd rho A v^2 = mg. A skydiver in belly-down position has about 55 m/s (200 km/h); head-down is about 90 m/s (320 km/h).
Ejemplo Resuelto
80 kg skydiver, belly-down (Cd = 1.0, A = 0.7 m2), sea level.
- 01v_t = sqrt(2 * 80 * 9.807 / (1.225 * 1.0 * 0.7))
- 02v_t = sqrt(1569 / 0.8575)
- 03v_t = sqrt(1830)
- 04v_t = 42.8 m/s = 154 km/h
Preguntas Frecuentes
Why do heavier objects fall faster at terminal velocity?
They need a higher speed to generate enough drag to balance their greater weight. This is why large raindrops fall faster than small ones.
Does terminal velocity change with altitude?
Yes. Air is thinner at high altitude, so terminal velocity is higher. Felix Baumgartner exceeded the speed of sound during his high-altitude jump because of this.
What about objects in liquids?
The same formula applies but with the liquid density and adjusted drag coefficient. In water, terminal velocities are much lower due to higher density.
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