Terminal Velocity Calculator

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Terminal Velocity Calculator

Introduction

This guide will help you navigate through the Terminal Velocity Calculator’s interface and provide instructions on how to input data correctly to obtain accurate results. The calculator is designed to determine the terminal velocity of an object falling through the air, as well as other related values such as drag force.

Step 1: Enter the Mass of the Object

Begin by entering the mass of the object you are analyzing. Locate the field labeled Mass of Object (kg). Input the mass in kilograms. Please ensure that the value you enter is a positive number that falls between the range of 0.001 kg and 1,000,000 kg. This field is required.

Step 2: Input the Cross-sectional Area

Next, identify the field named Cross-sectional Area (m²). Enter the cross-sectional area of the object in square meters. This value must be at least 0.0001 m² and not exceed 1000 m². Like the mass, this field is also required to calculate the terminal velocity.

Step 3: Select the Drag Coefficient

Proceed to the dropdown menu labeled Drag Coefficient. Select the appropriate drag coefficient for the object’s shape from the available options. The choices include:

• Sphere (0.47)
• Cylinder (1.0)
• Flat Plate (perpendicular to flow) (1.28)
• Streamlined Body (0.04)

This field is mandatory for the calculation process.

Step 4: Specify the Air Density

Find the field titled Air Density (kg/m³). Input the air density, which is typically 1.225 kg/m³ at sea level. Your entry must be within the range of 0.01 kg/m³ to 10 kg/m³. This value is required to ensure accurate calculations.

Step 5: Calculate and Interpret Results

After entering all the necessary data, the calculator will automatically compute the results. Review the following outputs:

• Terminal Velocity: The speed at which the object will fall with no acceleration, presented in m/s. This is calculated using the provided formula: sqrt((2 * mass * 9.81) / (airDensity * crossSectionalArea * dragCoefficient)).
• Terminal Velocity in km/h: The terminal velocity converted into kilometers per hour.
• Drag Force at Terminal Velocity: The drag force experienced by the object when falling at terminal velocity, expressed in Newtons. It is calculated as: 0.5 * airDensity * pow(terminalVelocity, 2) * crossSectionalArea * dragCoefficient.

Each result is displayed with a precision of two decimal places.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can efficiently use the Terminal Velocity Calculator to determine the terminal velocity of an object and related dynamics. Ensure that all inputs are accurate to obtain reliable results.