Air Resistance (Drag Force) and Terminal Velocity

[Apothem]

Homework Statement

"How does air resistance affect terminal velocity"

Homework Equations

N/A

The Attempt at a Solution

I know most of the answer of this, however I am just wondering say take a parachutist for example, if the air resistance is the resultant force, then in order to reach terminal velocity the parachutist would have to decelerate until the air resistance=weight and hence terminal velocity is achieved, is this correct?

 

[rude man]

Homework Statement

"How does air resistance affect terminal velocity"

Homework Equations

N/A

The Attempt at a Solution

I know most of the answer of this, however I am just wondering say take a parachutist for example, if the air resistance is the resultant force, then in order to reach terminal velocity the parachutist would have to decelerate until the air resistance=weight and hence terminal velocity is achieved, is this correct?

Yes.

 

[henryc09]

Almost right, the air resistance isn't the resultant force. The resultant force is the air resistance + the weight. When the air resistance is equal to the weight, the resultant force is zero and so there is no acceleration.