Question

How does a falling object’s surface area affect calculations of terminal velocity?(1 point)
Responses

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.

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 greater the air density.
The greater the object’s surface area, the greater the air density.

Answer 1

The greater the object’s surface area, the more air resistance it encounters.

Explanation: Drag ∝ A, so larger area increases drag and lowers terminal velocity (v_t = sqrt(2mg / (ρ C_d A))).