Physics
Free Fall with Air Resistance Calculator
Find falling speed and distance accounting for air resistance.
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With drag, a falling object speeds up toward a terminal velocity rather than forever.
The math behind it
v = v_t·tanh(g·t/v_t) and distance = (v_t²/g)·ln(cosh(g·t/v_t)). Speed approaches but never exceeds v_t.
Worked Example
v_t 55 m/s after 5 s → about 41.7 m/s, having fallen ~125 m.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sets terminal velocity?
The balance of gravity and drag, depending on mass, area and drag coefficient.
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