- #1
flyingpig
- 2,579
- 1
Homework Statement
It is a definition that the terminal velocity is the same as constant velocity where the net force is 0 and therefore the acceleration is also 0
Here is what I don't get, why must the terminal velocity must such that it is constant? I know that to be "terminal" it means it can no longer change it's velocity, but how come gravity will able to counteract it such that the sum of forces is 0? I mean what if air resistance is so strong that gravity can't counteract it? Wouldn't it mean the sum of forces is no longer 0 and the terminal velocity can never be reached or at that point, that is the terminal velocity?