Responses
Surface area does not affect an object’s terminal velocity.
Surface area does not affect an object’s terminal velocity.
The greater the object’s surface area, the more air resistance it encounters.
The greater the object’s surface area, the more air resistance it encounters.
The greater the object’s surface area, the greater its terminal velocity.
The greater the object’s surface area, the greater its terminal velocity.
The greater the object’s surface area, the greater the air density.
1 answer
The correct response is:
The greater the object’s surface area, the more air resistance it encounters.
This means that as the surface area increases, the air resistance acting on the object increases, which in turn affects the calculations of terminal velocity. Terminal velocity is reached when the force of gravity is balanced by the air resistance; thus, a larger surface area typically results in a lower terminal velocity for the object.
