Vertical Resisted Motion & Terminal Velocity

Vertical resisted motion and terminal velocity is part of the Mechanics topic in NSW Year 12 Mathematics Extension 2 (NESA outcome ME2-12-05). This subtopic derives the equation of motion for a particle moving vertically under constant gravity with a resistance \(R\) proportional to the first or second power of the speed.

Students and teachers will cover how to derive velocity and displacement, define and determine the terminal velocity a falling particle approaches, and solve problems such as the maximum height reached and the time taken to rise and return — a rich modelling context in the HSC Extension 2 course.