Terminal Velocity | GCSE Physics

Forces

Lesson overview

This lesson introduces the core physics idea, the useful equipment and the calculation or data skills used on this page.

FocusTerminal velocity, drag and force diagrams

Time45-60 minutes

EquipmentCalculator and free-body diagram practice.

Practical linkNo separate practical method 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.

Falling-object scenarios supplied on this page

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

Terminal velocity and free-body diagrams infographic

Infographic explaining GCSE Physics terminal velocity and free-body diagrams, including weight, air resistance, resultant force, balanced forces, a velocity-time graph and the common misconception that terminal velocity means stopped. — Use this visual to connect falling-object force diagrams, terminal velocity stages and velocity-time graph evidence.Download visual

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

Graph: the graph levels out when drag equals weight, so resultant force is zero and speed is constant.

Key diagram

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?

Zero Always maximum downwards Equal to mass only

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

It becomes negative mass It increases It must disappear

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.

Practice ladder

FluencyRecall the key definition, unit, equation or model before using the lesson questions.

ApplicationApply terminal velocity, drag and force diagrams to an unfamiliar device, practical setup or data description.

Practical interpretationUse 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.

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.

Exam-board guidance

Short board notes only. Learn the core physics above first.

AQA GCSE Physics

AQA GCSE Physics: often rewards clear physics explanations, correct equations, units and practical evidence for terminal velocity, drag and force diagrams.

OCR GCSE Physics

OCR GCSE Physics: often values precise definitions, clear working, graph interpretation and links between models and evidence.

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics: often combines the concept with equation use, data handling and practical interpretation.

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: often expects accurate terms, units and evidence-based explanations using the shared physics idea.

CCEA GCSE Physics

CCEA GCSE Physics: connect the idea to your current unit and use the same practical method language your class uses.

Next lesson

Next, continue with Transformer Calculations and Efficiency.

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