Air Resistance and Terminal Velocity

[@Valeria-uz2lb]

I am so glad this channel exists

[@PhysicsclassroomVideos]

👍

[@531700]

Before reaching terminal velocity, it sounds like the shape of the object is really the only relevant variable. Thus, why do people say that a heavier skier will ski faster than a lighter skier when it is likely that the area of the heavier skier's body will be greater than the smaller lighter skier.

[@PhysicsclassroomVideos]

I'm not sure I would agree with your 1st statement regarding relevant variables but I don't know what "relevant" means. A skier will reach terminal velocity when the resistance the resistance forces match the component of gravity Is directed down the hill. A heavier skier experiences a greater component of gravity and thus must travel faster in order to accumulate sufficient air resistance to match this down-the-hill force.

[@parithimathi]

Great insights and application-oriented analysis. Thanks sir🙏

[@PhysicsclassroomVideos]

Thanks. I'm glad you liked it.

[@rmazam700]

Thanks for your videos. I have a doubt. Even after reaching the terminal velocity, when the forces get balanced, the moving object will still collide with more and more molecules during the travel. Won't these collisions lead to unbalanced force and accelerate the object?

[@PhysicsclassroomVideos]

The air resistance depends on speed. If the speed isn't changing neither is the air resistance

[@rmazam700]

@@PhysicsclassroomVideos Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it but still I am not clear because air resistance also depends on cross- sectional area. The object will be still colliding with the air molecules when it travels.

[@PhysicsclassroomVideos]

@@rmazam700 yes. True. And that's why there is still air resistance once terminal velocity is reached. It's just that the amount of it is not going to change any. So the object will continue falling with balanced forces at a the forces at a constant velocity.

[@karisc.anoruo2212]

This helped with my pre-lab for Physics

[@PhysicsclassroomVideos]

Glad to hear that. What's the lab called?

[@karisc.anoruo2212]

@@PhysicsclassroomVideos It's a college level General Physics lab for Air Resistance

[@PhysicsclassroomVideos]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@shivi6389]

Thank you so much! this video helped me understand the concepts very clearly. i really appreciate it!

[@PhysicsclassroomVideos]

Glad it did!

[@ahmedsai4237]

Thank you so much!

[@PhysicsclassroomVideos]

Glad it helped!

[@fatimaramadan9558]

Thank u

[@PhysicsclassroomVideos]

You're welcome. Glad you liked it!

[@ui2088]

Thank you so much!