Terminal Velocity
Maximum velocity when drag equals weight.
Variables
Derivation
Set drag force equal to weight and solve for v.
Your notes
Constants in this formula
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- m = 2 kg (Mass)
- g = 9.806 65 m/s² (Gravitational acceleration)
- CD = 3 (Drag coefficient)
- ρ = 4 kg/m³ (Fluid density)
- A = 5 m² (Cross-sectional area)
Result: vt = 0.80856457 m/s
Other mechanics formulas with the same quantities
- Newton's Second Law (Dynamics) shares Mass
- Free Fall (Kinematics) shares Gravitational acceleration
- Projectile Range (Kinematics) shares Gravitational acceleration
- Projectile Maximum Height (Kinematics) shares Gravitational acceleration
- Projectile Time of Flight (Kinematics) shares Gravitational acceleration
- Gravitational Potential Energy (Work & Energy) shares Gravitational acceleration
Where this formula is listed
- Mechanics formulas, under Dynamics, alongside Friction Force, Hooke's Law, Center of Mass (Two Objects), Pressure and Bulk Modulus.
- In the mechanics list it comes after Drag Force and before Center of Mass (Two Objects).
- Mechanics formula sheet, one of 58 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
Common questions
What is the Terminal Velocity formula?
Terminal Velocity is written v_t = √(2mg/(C_D ρA)). Maximum velocity when drag equals weight. It belongs to Mechanics, under Dynamics.
What are the units in v_t = √(2mg/(C_D ρA))?
In SI units, v_t is terminal velocity, measured in m/s; m is mass, measured in kg; g is gravitational acceleration, measured in m/s²; C_D is drag coefficient (dimensionless); ρ is fluid density, measured in kg/m³; A is cross-sectional area, measured in m².
How is the Terminal Velocity formula derived?
Set drag force equal to weight and solve for v. The result is v_t = √(2mg/(C_D ρA)).