Terminal velocity is the maximum speed achieved by an object freely falling through a gas or liquid. At terminal velocity, the forces acting on the object are balanced so it is no longer accelerating.

In a little bit more time, the diagram would look like this: Since the jumper is going faster, there is a greater air resistance force. This means that the net force is still down, but much smaller.

Using that value for C and the bigger area (the screen side), I get a terminal velocity of 12.2 m/s or 27.2 mph. Just for fun, what if it was falling with it’s smallest edge downward, this would ...

When an object falls it can reach terminal velocity. Find out more with BBC Bitesize. For students between the ages of 11 and 14.