if terminal velocity is the fastest an item can free fall, then if you were to shoot an item downwards, faster then it’s terminal velocity, would it slow down, or maintain that same speed? If it does slow down, what force is slowing it? Would it work the same way in a vacuum?

Question

if terminal velocity is the fastest an item can free fall, then if you were to shoot an item downwards, faster then it’s terminal velocity, would it slow down, or maintain that same speed? If it does slow down, what force is slowing it? Would it work the same way in a vacuum?

In: Physics

Answer 1

It slows down, as terminal velocity is the speed where drag from air being in the way is equal to gravity. If it moves faster then drag is stronger and the object slows down because it’s fighting against air.