Forces on a falling object

Learning Byte Summary ▾

Learning Objectives (LOs): Force on free falling object; how drag balances weight

Grade level: Middle school

Duration: 5 min

Key ideas: Drag force; Weight; Terminal velocity

Drag Force & Terminal Velocity

As an object falls faster, it experiences more resistance from the air. This resistance, or pushback, is called drag force. The drag force continues to grow until it becomes large enough to balance the object’s weight. At that point, the upward drag force and the downward weight of the falling object balance each other out, so there is no net force acting on the object. The object stops accelerating; that is, its speed no longer increases. It continues to fall smoothly at a constant speed. This final constant falling speed is called terminal velocity. ¹

Parachutes

Paper Copter

References

1. 1.

   Falling Object with Air Resistance

   Nancy Hall, Glenn Research Center · Glenn Research Center, NASA · 2024

How to Cite: Sinha, R. (2026). Forces on a falling object. Amazing Birds. https://amazing-birds.gitlab.io/

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