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

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.

1 answer

The correct response is:

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

In the context of terminal velocity, an object with a larger surface area will experience more air resistance, which will impact the balance of forces acting on it as it falls. The terminal velocity is reached when the force of gravity is balanced by air resistance, so a greater surface area typically results in a lower terminal velocity.