Physics
Advanced

Terminal Velocity

Constant fall speed when drag balances gravity.

Formula

vt=2mgρACdv_t = \sqrt{\frac{2mg}{\rho A C_d}}

Variables

mMass
\rhoAir density
AArea
C_dDrag coefficient

Example

Skydiver ~55 m/s

Did You Know?

A falling human reaches a terminal velocity of about 200 km/h, but a spread-eagled skydiver falls much slower.

motiondrag