Terminal Velocity

Terminal velocity, abbreviated as \(v_t\), is when atmospheric drag on a falling object becomes equal and opposite to the acceleration due to gravity.  The object at terminal velocity has zero acceleration and constant speed as the net force on it is zero.

 

Terminal Velocity formula
\( v_t =   \sqrt { 2 \;m \; g \;/\; C_d \; \rho \; A  }   \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( v_t \) = terminal velocity (maximum falling speed)	\(ft \;/\; sec\)	\(m \;/\; s\)
\(\ m \) = mass	\(lbm\)	\(kg\)
\( g \) = gravitational acceleration	\(ft \;/\; sec^2\)	\(m \;/\; s^2\)
\( C_d \) = drag coefficient	\(dimensionless\)	\(dimensionless\)
\( \rho \)   (Greek symbol rho) = fluid density	\(lbm \;/\; ft^3\)	\(kg \;/\; m^3\)
\( A \) = object area	\(ft^2\)	\(m^2\)