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Why does a parachute reach a terminal velocity?

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The net force and the acceleration on the falling skydiver is upward. An upward net force on a downward falling object would cause that object to slow down. The skydiver thus slows down. As the speed decreases, the amount of air resistance also decreases until once more the skydiver reaches a terminal velocity. read more

As the feather falls, its air resistance increases until it soon balances the weight of the feather. The feather now falls at its terminal velocity. But the coin is much heavier, so it has to travel quite fast before air resistance is large enough to balance its weight. In fact, it probably hits the ground before it reaches its terminal velocity. read more

Initially you had a small surface area but a fast speed- with the parachute you have a larger surface area but lower speed. read more

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Terminal Velocity (gravity and drag)
spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov

The Physics Classroom
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