Question 1

What is terminal velocity?

Accepted Answer

Maximum falling speed when air resistance equals gravity. Humans: ~200 kph (spread) to 300 kph (headfirst).

Question 2

Why do skydivers have different terminal velocities?

Accepted Answer

Body position changes drag. Spread-eagle: ~200 kph. Headfirst dive: ~300 kph. Weight matters too.

Question 3

What's the fastest speed possible?

Accepted Answer

The speed of light (299,792,458 m/s or about 670 million mph) is the universal speed limit. Nothing with mass can reach it.

Question 4

Why do pilots and sailors use knots?

Accepted Answer

One knot = one nautical mile per hour. Nautical miles relate directly to Earth's latitude (1 nm = 1 minute of latitude), simplifying navigation.

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