Skydiver & Terminal Velocity

Public embed · © PhyChem Studio · weight vs drag · F_net and a → 0 at v_t

Height: — Speed: — F_net: — a: — v_t: —

As speed rises, drag grows with v² until it balances weight — then F_net ≈ 0 and a ≈ 0 (terminal velocity), while v stays near v_t. Opening the chute increases A → new, smaller v_t; F_net briefly points up (a upward) until speed falls to the new balance. Common misuse: thinking speed falls before terminal velocity is reached.