Terminal velocity is the maximum speed that an object can reach when falling through a fluid, such as air. It occurs when the drag force from the fluid is equal to the force of gravity pulling the object down.
The greater the mass of the parachute, the greater the force of gravity acting on it. This means that a heavier parachute will reach a higher terminal velocity compared to a lighter one.
The larger the diameter of the parachute, the more air resistance it will experience. This will cause it to reach a lower terminal velocity compared to a smaller parachute with the same mass.
Understanding the terminal velocity of a parachute is crucial for designing safe and effective parachutes. It can also help us understand the physics behind air resistance and gravity.
The terminal velocity of a parachute can be calculated using the formula: Vt = √(2mg/ρAC), where Vt is the terminal velocity, m is the mass of the parachute, g is the acceleration due to gravity, ρ is the density of the fluid, A is the cross-sectional area of the parachute, and C is the drag coefficient.