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Terminal velocity is the velocity where the force of gravity balances the drag of the air stream flow past the object. At terminal velocity, the object's acceleration due to gravity becomes zero, and the object begins to fall at a constant velocity. In a vacuum, however, there is no air - and thus no drag- so the object continues to accelerate.

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9y ago
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5mo ago

In a vacuum, there is no air resistance to oppose the object's motion. Terminal velocity is the constant speed that an object achieves when the force of gravity pulling it downward is balanced by the force of air resistance pushing upward. Without air resistance in a vacuum, the object can continue to accelerate indefinitely as gravity pulls it downward.

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9y ago

In such a case, there is no such thing as "terminal velocity". Terminal velocity means there is a balance between the gravitational force (which tends to speed an object up) and the force of friction, for example air resistance (which tends to slow the object down). If there is no friction, there can be no such balance.

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Q: Why can a object falling in a vacuum never reach terminal velocity?
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Why can an object falling in an vacuum never reach terminal velocity?

In a vacuum, there is no air resistance to oppose the motion of the falling object, so there is no force acting to limit its acceleration and reach terminal velocity. As a result, the object will continue to accelerate indefinitely as it falls through the vacuum.


What is the terminal velocity for iron?

The terminal velocity for iron depends on its shape, size, and the medium it is falling through. For a small iron object falling through air, the terminal velocity is typically around 20-40 meters per second. However, in a vacuum, the terminal velocity would be much higher and dependent on the specific conditions.


How can you demonstrate terminal velocity?

You can demonstrate terminal velocity by dropping an object in a vacuum chamber. As the object falls, it will eventually reach a speed where the air resistance pushing upward equals the force of gravity pulling downward, resulting in a constant terminal velocity. This can be visually observed as the object maintains a steady speed while falling.


What is terminal velocity from a 16 foot fall?

The terminal velocity from a 16 foot fall would depend on various factors such as air resistance and the mass of the falling object. In a vacuum, the object would accelerate at 9.8 m/s^2 until it hits the ground. However, in reality, terminal velocity is typically reached before the fall distance, usually around 120 mph for a human-sized object.


What is the hypothesis of how does air resistance affect the velocity of falling objects?

The hypothesis is that air resistance decreases the velocity of falling objects. As an object falls, the force of air resistance acting against the object's motion increases, ultimately slowing down the object and reducing its velocity compared to in a vacuum.

Related questions

Why can an object falling in an vacuum never reach terminal velocity?

In a vacuum, there is no air resistance to oppose the motion of the falling object, so there is no force acting to limit its acceleration and reach terminal velocity. As a result, the object will continue to accelerate indefinitely as it falls through the vacuum.


Why can't a object falling in a vacuum ever reach terminal velocity?

There is no drag in a vacuum to act against the acceleration.


The greatest velocity a falling object reaches?

The greatest velocity a falling object reaches is its terminal velocity, which occurs when the net force acting on the object is zero. At this point, the gravitational force pulling the object down is balanced by the drag force resisting its motion, resulting in a constant velocity.


What is the terminal velocity for iron?

The terminal velocity for iron depends on its shape, size, and the medium it is falling through. For a small iron object falling through air, the terminal velocity is typically around 20-40 meters per second. However, in a vacuum, the terminal velocity would be much higher and dependent on the specific conditions.


How can you demonstrate terminal velocity?

You can demonstrate terminal velocity by dropping an object in a vacuum chamber. As the object falls, it will eventually reach a speed where the air resistance pushing upward equals the force of gravity pulling downward, resulting in a constant terminal velocity. This can be visually observed as the object maintains a steady speed while falling.


What is terminal velocity from a 16 foot fall?

The terminal velocity from a 16 foot fall would depend on various factors such as air resistance and the mass of the falling object. In a vacuum, the object would accelerate at 9.8 m/s^2 until it hits the ground. However, in reality, terminal velocity is typically reached before the fall distance, usually around 120 mph for a human-sized object.


Does the velocity of an object increase when its falling freely in a vacuum?

It accelerates at a higher rate


What is the hypothesis of how does air resistance affect the velocity of falling objects?

The hypothesis is that air resistance decreases the velocity of falling objects. As an object falls, the force of air resistance acting against the object's motion increases, ultimately slowing down the object and reducing its velocity compared to in a vacuum.


What are two ways of increasing the terminal velocity of a falling object?

I'm reluctant to answer because the wording of the question suggests the person asking is looking for answers that meet undefined constraints. One way to increase the terminal velocity of a falling object is to drop it in a vacuum. Another is to drop it in a atmosphere of hydrogen. . 1. increase the mass, without increasing the drag coefficient. 2. Decrease the drag coefficient, without decreasing the mass.


How fast is terminal velocity for a penny if it is in a vacuum?

If the penny is in a vaccum, the penny has no terminal velocity because verminal velocity is when the resistance against the falling penny is equal to the force of gravity. So if it is in a vaccum, it has no forces resisting the fall, and it has no terminal velocity.


Will an object dropped on the moon reach a terminal velocity?

That varies, depending on the object. A massive object may take a long time to reach terminal velocity; a less massive object will reach terminal velocity faster. It basically depends on the object's mass, size, and shape.


As an object falls freely in a vacuum its?

velocity increases as it falls due to the force of gravity acting on it. Since there is no air resistance in a vacuum, the object will continue to accelerate until it reaches its terminal velocity or hits the ground.