[NorthMountain]

1) Atmospheric drag on a moving object is a function of the object's size, shape, surface characteristics, and velocity. Any given FALLING object has a terminal velocity, that velocity at which the force of atmospheric drag resisting its motion equals the gravitational force acting upon it. Once this FALLING object achieves terminal velocity it maintains that velocity until impact with the ground.

2) A moving object's kinetic energy is a function of its mass and its velocity. E_K = (m*v²)/2

3) A moving object's momentum is also a function of its mass and its mass and its velocity. P = m*v

4) Kinetic energy and momentum are different quantities, but both can answer the question "How much will it hurt when it hits me?"

5) What are the respective terminal velocities of a falling penny, bullet, and bowling ball?

6) What are the respective masses of a penny, bullet, and bowling ball?

7) What are the respective kinetic energy and momentum of a penny, bullet, and bowling ball?

8) Rate the three object is order of how much they will hurt you when they hit you.

[NorthMountain]

Your thoughts?

[NorthMountain]

Your thoughts on #40?

[FredZarguna]

One very slight correction: An object falling in the atmosphere does not necessarily maintain its terminal velocity to impact with the ground unless the air is still. [Objects with very low terminal velocities display this characteristic all the time.]