Paper 2 · Kinematics and Dynamics
What is meant by an object's terminal velocity?
AThe velocity at which an object's acceleration is momentarily greatest
BThe constant velocity reached when the driving and opposing forces balance
CThe velocity at the exact instant an object is first released from rest
DThe maximum speed reached before any resultant force starts acting on it
Explanation: Terminal velocity is the constant velocity reached by a body moving through a resisting medium when the driving force (e.g. weight) and the opposing (resistive) force become equal, so the resultant force, and hence the acceleration, is zero.
Derived from ZIMSEC Physics Paper 2, November 2003, Q1