Created By : Naaz Fatima

Reviewed By : Phani Ponnapalli

Last Updated : May 10, 2023


Free Fall with Air Resistance Calculator is a free tool that displays the time of fall, terminal and maximum velocities. All you need to do is provide the respective inputs and click on the calculate button to get the corresponding output in a fraction of seconds.

Mass (M):
Time of fall (t):
Gravitational acceleration (g):
Air resistance (k):
Altitude (h):
Free fall velocity (v):
Drag force is:
                 

What is meant by Free Fall?

Free Fall is a motion of body in which no other forces other than gravity act on it. It is not necessary that objects move downwards and moon is an example for it and is subject to gravitational force.

Air Resistance Formula

Air Resistance is a force that opposes the body's motion in free fall. Faster you fall greater the force is. Force Drag Equation is expressed using the formula

F = k * v²

Where v is the instantaneous speed and k is the air resistance coefficient measured in kg/m .

Air Resistance Coefficient depends on certain factors and air resistance can be found using the formula k = ρ * A * C / 2

In the above formula ρ is the density of medium of body is travelling through

A is the cross sectional area of falling body

C is the dimensionless drag coefficient associated with shape of falling body.

Default Value of k is 0.24 kg/m

Physicscalc.Com has got concepts like friction, acceleration due to gravity, water pressure, gravity, and many more along with their relevant calculators all one under one roof.

How to Calculate Air Resistance?

Go through the simple steps listed below to find out the air resistance. They are as under

  • Determine the air resistance coefficient k, instantaneous speed v.
  • Substitute them in the formula of air resistance i.e. F = k * v²
  • Solve the equation and simplify it further to obtain the air resistance.

Maximum Vs Terminal Velocity

An object steadily accelerates due to gravity while falling. However, air resistance increases with velocity. At a certain point the drag force will become large enough and opposes the gravitational force. Body stops accelerating at this point and it is called as terminal velocity.

It is not necessary that all objects reach the ground before reaching the terminal velocity. Some may hit the ground before reaching the terminal velocity and there is another velocity named maximum velocity that occurs before the body comes to a stop.

FAQs on Free Fall with Air Resistance Calculator

1. How does Air Resistance affect the Acceleration of Falling Objects?

With Air Resistance acceleration during a fall becomes less than gravity since air resistance affects the movement of a falling object by slowing it down.


2. How do you find the Air Resistance of a Falling Object?

You can calculate the Air Resistance of a falling object by simply multiplying air resistance coefficient and square of instantaneous speed.


3. What is the formula for Air Resistance in a Free Fall?

The Formula for Air Resistance in a Free Fall is given by F = k * v²