Terminal Velocity Quiz: Test Falling Object Physics

10th Grade

Reviewed by Ekaterina Yukhnovich

Ekaterina Yukhnovich, PhD |

Science Expert

Review Board Member

Ekaterina V. is a physicist and mathematics expert with a PhD in Physics and Mathematics and extensive experience working with advanced secondary and undergraduate-level content. She specializes in combinatorics, applied mathematics, and scientific writing, with a strong focus on accuracy and academic rigor.

, PhD

By Thames

Thames

Community Contributor

Quizzes Created: 10017 | Total Attempts: 9,652,179

| Questions: 20 | Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Whatsapp Share on Pinterest Share on Email Copy to Clipboard Embed on your website

Question 1 / 21

🏆 Rank #-- ▾

0 %

0/100

Score 0/100

1. In many slow, smooth flows, the resistive force from viscosity tends to:

Increase when speed increases

Decrease when speed increases

Ignore speed completely

Depend only on mass

Concept: viscous drag vs speed. Faster motion creates larger velocity differences between fluid layers. That increases shear and the resistive (drag) force.

Explanation

Concept: viscous drag vs speed. Faster motion creates larger velocity differences between fluid layers. That increases shear and the resistive (drag) force.

Submit

About This Quiz

Terminal Velocity Quiz: Test Falling Object Physics - Quiz

This assessment explores the principles of terminal velocity and the physics governing falling objects. It evaluates understanding of key concepts such as gravitational force, air resistance, and acceleration. Engaging with this material enhances learners' grasp of motion dynamics, making it relevant for physics students and enthusiasts alike.

2. What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

You may optionally provide this to label your report, leaderboard, or certificate.

2. A small sphere falling slowly in a very viscous fluid can reach a constant speed called terminal velocity.

True

False

Concept: terminal velocity. Terminal velocity occurs when forces balance and acceleration becomes zero. The sphere then continues at a constant speed through the fluid.

Explanation

Concept: terminal velocity. Terminal velocity occurs when forces balance and acceleration becomes zero. The sphere then continues at a constant speed through the fluid.

Submit

3. Terminal velocity occurs when:

Drag is zero

Net force is zero

Acceleration is maximum

Buoyancy is greater than weight

Concept: force balance. If the net force is zero, acceleration must be zero by Newton’s second law. Constant speed is then maintained.

Explanation

Concept: force balance. If the net force is zero, acceleration must be zero by Newton’s second law. Constant speed is then maintained.

Submit

4. In laminar flow around a small sphere, Stokes’ drag is proportional to the sphere’s ______.

Concept: Stokes’ drag scaling. In the slow-flow regime, drag depends on viscosity, object size, and speed. A bigger sphere interacts with more fluid, raising drag.

Explanation

Concept: Stokes’ drag scaling. In the slow-flow regime, drag depends on viscosity, object size, and speed. A bigger sphere interacts with more fluid, raising drag.

Submit

5. If fluid viscosity increases (all else equal), the drag force on a slowly moving object generally:

Decreases

Increases

Stays the same

Becomes negative

Concept: viscosity increases drag. Higher viscosity means stronger internal friction and shear stress. For the same motion, the resistive force becomes larger.

Explanation

Concept: viscosity increases drag. Higher viscosity means stronger internal friction and shear stress. For the same motion, the resistive force becomes larger.

Submit

6. A higher viscosity fluid usually leads to a lower terminal velocity for a falling small sphere.

True

False

Concept: terminal velocity vs viscosity. With greater viscous drag at any given speed, balance is reached sooner. That balance happens at a lower constant speed.

Explanation

Concept: terminal velocity vs viscosity. With greater viscous drag at any given speed, balance is reached sooner. That balance happens at a lower constant speed.

Submit

7. Which situation is most likely to involve laminar behaviour rather than turbulent?

Fast flow in a wide river

Slow motion of a tiny bead in glycerine

A high-speed jet of water

Storm winds around a building

Concept: laminar conditions. Low speed and small size favour laminar flow because viscosity can smooth out disturbances. Thick fluids like glycerine often show this clearly.

Explanation

Concept: laminar conditions. Low speed and small size favour laminar flow because viscosity can smooth out disturbances. Thick fluids like glycerine often show this clearly.

Submit

8. Buoyant force acts ______, opposing the object’s weight.

Concept: buoyancy direction. Buoyancy arises from pressure increasing with depth. That pressure difference produces an upward force on a submerged object.

Explanation

Concept: buoyancy direction. Buoyancy arises from pressure increasing with depth. That pressure difference produces an upward force on a submerged object.

Submit

9. At terminal velocity, which statement is correct?

Weight equals buoyancy only

Weight equals drag only

Weight equals buoyancy plus drag

Drag equals buoyancy only

Concept: terminal force balance. The downward weight is balanced by the upward buoyancy and drag together. This makes the net force zero.

Explanation

Concept: terminal force balance. The downward weight is balanced by the upward buoyancy and drag together. This makes the net force zero.

Submit

10. If the falling object’s speed doubles in a regime where drag is proportional to speed, the drag force doubles.

True

False

Concept: linear drag. In the Stokes’ regime, drag is proportional to speed. Doubling the speed doubles the resistive force.

Explanation

Concept: linear drag. In the Stokes’ regime, drag is proportional to speed. Doubling the speed doubles the resistive force.

Submit

11. In a very viscous fluid, a small object tends to:

Accelerate for a long time without limit

Reach terminal velocity quickly

Have zero drag

Sink faster than in air

Concept: strong damping. High viscosity makes drag grow quickly with speed. That brings forces into balance sooner and limits acceleration.

Explanation

Concept: strong damping. High viscosity makes drag grow quickly with speed. That brings forces into balance sooner and limits acceleration.

Submit

12. The resistive force from viscosity is often called ______.

Concept: drag terminology. Drag is the general name for resistive forces from a fluid. In slow laminar motion, viscosity is a major contributor to drag.

Explanation

Concept: drag terminology. Drag is the general name for resistive forces from a fluid. In slow laminar motion, viscosity is a major contributor to drag.

Submit

13. Which change would most likely increase terminal velocity (same object, same fluid)?

Increasing viscosity

Increasing buoyancy

Decreasing viscosity

Decreasing object weight

Concept: lower viscosity → higher terminal speed. Reduced viscosity lowers drag at any given speed. The force balance then occurs at a higher speed.

Explanation

Concept: lower viscosity → higher terminal speed. Reduced viscosity lowers drag at any given speed. The force balance then occurs at a higher speed.

Submit

14. Viscosity can be thought of as how strongly fluid layers “pull” on neighbouring layers when they move at different speeds.

True

False

Concept: shear coupling. When layers move differently, viscosity creates shear stress that resists that difference. It acts like an internal coupling between layers.

Explanation

Concept: shear coupling. When layers move differently, viscosity creates shear stress that resists that difference. It acts like an internal coupling between layers.

Submit

15. A sphere falls in two fluids with the same density but different viscosity. The sphere falls slower in the one with:

Lower viscosity

Higher viscosity

Lower temperature always

Higher pressure always

Concept: viscosity sets drag. With the same density, buoyancy conditions are comparable. Higher viscosity increases drag, reducing speed.

Explanation

Concept: viscosity sets drag. With the same density, buoyancy conditions are comparable. Higher viscosity increases drag, reducing speed.

Submit

16. The balance of forces at terminal velocity means acceleration is ______.

Concept: constant velocity condition. Zero net force implies zero acceleration. The object can still move, but its speed stays constant.

Explanation

Concept: constant velocity condition. Zero net force implies zero acceleration. The object can still move, but its speed stays constant.

Submit

17. For slow flow past small objects, increasing the object’s size generally:

Decreases drag

Increases drag

Eliminates viscosity

Makes buoyancy vanish

Concept: size increases drag. A larger object creates more interaction area with the fluid and greater shear. That increases viscous resistance.

Explanation

Concept: size increases drag. A larger object creates more interaction area with the fluid and greater shear. That increases viscous resistance.

Submit

18. An object can still be moving even if the net force is zero.

True

False

Concept: Newton’s first law. Zero net force means no acceleration, not zero velocity. Constant velocity motion happens with balanced forces.

Explanation

Concept: Newton’s first law. Zero net force means no acceleration, not zero velocity. Constant velocity motion happens with balanced forces.

Submit

19. Which force does not directly depend on viscosity?

Viscous drag

Weight

Shear resistance

Drag due to viscosity

Concept: weight independence. Weight depends on mass and gravity. Viscous forces depend on how the object moves through the fluid and the fluid’s viscosity.

Explanation

Concept: weight independence. Weight depends on mass and gravity. Viscous forces depend on how the object moves through the fluid and the fluid’s viscosity.

Submit