Sgt Alkemade
Gentlemen, many thanks for the info - very helpful! I'm a physics specialist rather than bugs or smelly chemicals... However anything that helps motivate and excite the interest of a group of 14 year olds is extremely welcome. I'm trying to make science real and relevant for them.
The v^ = u^ + 2as formula does not work for determining how far you have to fall to reach terminal velocity as it does not take account of the increasing effect of wind resistance. As such it only applies in the first couple of seconds or so of free fall. I think you have to fall about 500 m to get within about 98% of terminal velocity, from memory.
The class and I will be reading through this thread together in our next lesson on Friday. Many thanks for your help.
Adrian