Shadowing Practice: Terminal Velocity and Air Resistance - Learn English Speaking with Video

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When an object or person falls from a great height, they are pulled towards the surface of the Earth by the force of gravity.
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As the object or person falls, they accelerate meaning they move faster and faster towards the ground.
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However, the air resistance or drag force pushes against them, slowing them down.
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At some point, the drag force becomes equal to the force of gravity, and the object or person stops accelerating.
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This is called terminal velocity, which can be different for different objects depending on their shape, size, and mass.
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Terminal velocity for a human falling through the air is around 120 miles per hour, or about 193 kilometers per hour,
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which is far too fast to safely reach the ground.
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This is where a parachute comes in.
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A parachute increases air resistance due to its shape and size, creating a larger surface area for the air to push against.
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This slows down the person or object's descent, allowing them to land safely on the ground.
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you .
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It's Okay, let's go through it one more time.
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you When a skydiver leaps from a plane, they initially accelerate due to the force of gravity.
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Thank you.
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As they fall, air resistance gradually increases until it balances with the force of gravity, and the skydiver reaches terminal velocity.
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At this point, the Skydiver deploys their parachute, which increases air resistance and slows their descent.
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allowing them to land safely on the ground.
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you Try designing and making your own parachute to slow the fall of small objects.
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Use a stopwatch to time the objects fall.
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you you Thanks for watching.
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Worksheets relating to this short video can be downloaded by creating a free account at ngscience .com.
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About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will explore the fascinating concepts of terminal velocity and air resistance. Through engaging with the content, students will practice their English speaking skills by discussing how gravity and drag forces affect the fall of objects. This lesson will challenge learners to use scientific vocabulary while improving their pronunciation and fluency. By the end of this section, students will not only understand the physics behind falling objects but also gain confidence in speaking about technical subjects in English.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Terminal Velocity - the constant speed achieved by an object when the force of gravity is balanced by air resistance.
  • Gravity - the force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth.
  • Air Resistance - the forces that oppose the motion of an object through air.
  • Drag Force - the resistance encountered by an object moving through a fluid, such as air.
  • Parachute - a device used to slow down an object’s descent through the air.
  • Accelerate - to increase in speed.
  • Descent - the act of moving downward.

Practice Tips

For effective english speaking practice with this lesson, consider using a shadowing app. Start by listening to the video at a slower speed initially, paying close attention to how the presenter enunciates specific scientific terms. Repeat sentences aloud after hearing them, mimicking the rhythm and intonation. Use the shadowspeak technique by whispering or speaking along with the speaker to reinforce your pronunciation. As you grow more comfortable, gradually increase the video speed to challenge your fluency. This exercise will also help you retain critical vocabulary related to physics while allowing you to discover how to express complex ideas in English.

Additionally, try applying what you learned by discussing the concepts in your own words with classmates or through social media platforms dedicated to language learning. By linking your new vocabulary to practical examples, like designing your own parachute as suggested in the video, you will build a deeper understanding of both the language and the subject. Remember, the goal is to learn english with youtube while improving your confidence and skills in live conversations.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →