Question

Which object would have the slowest speed at terminal velocity?(1 point)

a. a 50-kilogram block with no parachute
b. a 10-kilogram block with no parachute
c. a 50-kilogram block with a large parachute
d. a 10-kilogram block with a small parachute

Answer 1

c. a 50-kilogram block with a large parachute

Reason: Terminal speed occurs when weight = drag. v_t ≈ sqrt(2mg/(ρC_dA)), so larger parachute area A gives much lower v_t. The large parachute produces the most drag, so it yields the slowest terminal speed.