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 a stopping distance of 3 cm and a terminal velocity of 20 m/s gives an acceleration of 6666 m/ 2 or 680 g’s. If I use a terminal velocity of 12.2 m/s, the stopping acceleration goes down ...

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