Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
terminal velocity
noun
/ˈtɜːrmɪnəl vəˈlɒsɪti/
Definition
The constant speed that a freely falling object eventually reaches when the resistance of the medium prevents further acceleration.
Examples
- When skydivers jump from a plane, they eventually reach terminal velocity before opening their parachutes.
- A feather falls slower than a rock due to its lower terminal velocity caused by air resistance.
Meaning
Terminal velocity is the highest speed an object can achieve when falling through a fluid, balancing the force of gravity and the drag force of the fluid.
Synonyms
- Constant speed
- Equilibrium speed
- Maximal falling speed
