Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Resistive forces are forces that oppose the motion of an object through a fluid, such as air or water. They can include drag, air resistance, and viscous forces.
Related terms
Drag Force: Drag force is a type of resistive force that acts opposite to the direction of motion for objects moving through fluids.
Terminal Velocity: Terminal velocity is the constant speed reached by an object falling through a fluid when the upward buoyant force equals the downward gravitational force.