Free GCSE Physics lesson: Terminal Velocity
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Free Lessons -> GCSE / Key Stage 4 -> Physics -> Terminal Velocity

Lesson 41 · GCSE / Key Stage 4 · Physics

Terminal velocity and free-body diagrams

Explain weight, drag, resultant force and terminal velocity using force diagrams and motion reasoning.

Qualification: GCSE Subject: Physics Forces Separate Physics and Combined Science

Forces

This lesson builds terminal velocity, drag and force diagrams for GCSE Physics.

Use the core lesson first, then match the exam-board guidance to your school route. Many pupils meet this content through Combined Science as well as Separate Physics.

Good forSeparate Physics and Combined Science
FocusTerminal velocity, drag and force diagrams
Time45-60 minutes
EquipmentCalculator and free-body diagram practice.
Paper fitPaper 2 focus on most GCSE Physics routes
TierFoundation and Higher core
Practical linkNo required practical focus
Maths tagsM1 units and equation sense

What you will learn

  • Draw force diagrams for falling objects.
  • Explain why drag increases with speed.
  • Describe terminal velocity using balanced forces.
  • Connect resultant force to acceleration and steady speed.

Exam-board fit

RouteSeparate Physics and Combined Science
PaperPaper 2 focus on most GCSE Physics routes
TierFoundation and Higher core
Specification fitForces: Terminal velocity, drag and force diagrams
Practical linkNo required practical focus
Maths ladderM1 units and equation sense

Exact paper labels and specification-point numbering vary by board and cohort, so match this lesson to your school route before using past-paper questions.

Falling-object scenarios supplied on this page

Use the skydiver, parachute and falling ball examples to practise force balance and terminal velocity explanations.

Clear explanation

A falling object has weight acting downwards. As it speeds up, drag increases upwards because the object pushes through more air each second.

At first, weight is larger than drag, so there is a downward resultant force and the object accelerates. When drag equals weight, the resultant force is zero.

Terminal velocity is the steady speed reached when the forces are balanced. The object is still moving, but it is no longer accelerating.

Key graph

Velocity-time graph for a falling object reaching terminal velocity A velocity-time graph rises steeply at first, then gradually levels out to a horizontal line showing terminal velocity. time / s velocity / m/s accelerating terminal velocity forces become balanced
Graph: the graph levels out when drag equals weight, so resultant force is zero and speed is constant.

Key diagram

Free-body diagram for a falling object at terminal velocity A falling object is shown with equal upward drag and downward weight arrows at terminal velocity. drag weight equal arrows: zero resultant force
Diagram: equal and opposite force arrows support the written explanation that terminal velocity is steady motion, not stopped motion.

Worked examples

Skydiver before and after parachute opens

Before the parachute opens, the skydiver has high speed and large drag.

Opening the parachute greatly increases drag.

The upward resultant force makes the skydiver decelerate until a lower terminal velocity is reached.

Answer: The parachute lowers terminal velocity by increasing drag.

Quick checks

Choose an answer, then check your thinking.

1. What is the resultant force at terminal velocity?

2. What happens to air resistance as a falling object speeds up?

Practice questions

Question 1

A falling object has weight 20 N and drag 8 N. What is the resultant force?

Reveal answer and marking guidance

Answer: 12 N downwards.

Marking: Credit subtracting opposing forces and giving direction.

Question 2

Why does a parachute reduce terminal velocity?

Reveal answer and marking guidance

Answer: It increases surface area, increasing drag so balanced forces occur at a lower speed.

Marking: Credit larger drag and lower steady speed.

Question 3

Can an object at terminal velocity still be moving?

Reveal answer and marking guidance

Answer: Yes. It moves at constant speed because resultant force is zero.

Marking: Credit constant velocity with no acceleration.

Question 4

What two forces should be shown on a simple falling-object free-body diagram?

Reveal answer and marking guidance

Answer: Weight downwards and drag or air resistance upwards.

Marking: Credit both forces with directions.

Exam practice ladder

AO1 fluencyRecall the key definition, unit, equation or model before using the lesson questions.
AO2 applicationApply terminal velocity, drag and force diagrams to an unfamiliar device, practical setup or data description.
AO3 analysisUse evidence, graph features, uncertainty, method quality or conclusion wording where the question asks you to evaluate.
Maths skillM1 units and equation sense

Answers and marking guidance

The exact practice answers are hidden under each question so you can try first. For this lesson, marks come from using the correct physics model, choosing the right equation where needed, keeping units with values, and explaining changes with precise words such as transfer, resultant force, acceleration, evidence and uncertainty.

Common mistakes

  • Saying zero resultant force means the object has stopped.
  • Drawing drag downwards on a falling object.
  • Forgetting drag changes with speed.
  • Calling mass and weight the same quantity.

Exam-board guidance

All supported routes assess the core physics idea, but they may group topics, practicals and paper wording differently.

AQA GCSE Physics

AQA GCSE Physics: use this lesson for terminal velocity, drag and force diagrams, then check whether your class is taking Separate Physics or Combined Science.

OCR GCSE Physics

OCR GCSE Physics: the core physics idea is shared, but Gateway and Twenty First Century may organise questions differently.

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics: practise the concept, the equation use and the practical language because questions often connect them.

Eduqas GCSE Physics

Eduqas GCSE Physics: learn the core explanation and practise applying it to unfamiliar contexts, data and practical questions.

WJEC Wales

WJEC Wales: check whether your class is using the current GCSE Physics route or a newer science route, then use this lesson for the shared physics idea.

CCEA GCSE Physics

CCEA GCSE Physics: connect the idea to your unit and remember that practical skills are assessed directly.

Extension challenge

Annotate a skydiver velocity-time graph with the force balance at each stage.

Reveal answer

Example answer: A strong extension response names the physics model, uses accurate units and explains why the evidence supports the conclusion.

Next lesson

Next, continue with Transformer Calculations and Efficiency.

Previous lesson: Density PracticalBack to GCSE Physics lessonsNext lesson: Transformer Calculations and Efficiency