Projectile Motion Calculator
Projectile Motion Calculator
Projectile motion combines constant horizontal velocity with vertical motion under gravity, producing the classic parabolic trajectory. Enter the launch speed and angle (and an optional launch height above the ground), and this calculator computes the range, maximum height, and total time of flight, shown alongside the trajectory curve.
- Range is maximized at a 45° launch angle (when launching and landing at the same height) - launching higher or lower than 45° reduces the range for the same speed.
- The horizontal and vertical motions are independent - horizontal velocity stays constant throughout the flight, while vertical velocity decreases, stops at the peak, then increases downward under gravity.
- This calculator ignores air resistance (an idealized case) - real projectiles like thrown balls experience some drag that reduces their actual range.
How do I calculate the range of a projectile?
Range = (v² × sin(2θ)) / g when launching and landing at the same height, where v is the launch speed and θ is the launch angle.
What is the range of a projectile launched at 20 m/s at a 45° angle?
R = (20² × sin(90°)) / 9.81 ≈ 40.77 m.
Projectile Motion Calculator
Projectile motion combines constant horizontal velocity with vertical motion under gravity, producing the classic parabolic trajectory. Enter the launch speed and angle (and an optional launch height above the ground), and this calculator computes the range, maximum height, and total time of flight, shown alongside the trajectory curve.
- Range is maximized at a 45° launch angle (when launching and landing at the same height) - launching higher or lower than 45° reduces the range for the same speed.
- The horizontal and vertical motions are independent - horizontal velocity stays constant throughout the flight, while vertical velocity decreases, stops at the peak, then increases downward under gravity.
- This calculator ignores air resistance (an idealized case) - real projectiles like thrown balls experience some drag that reduces their actual range.
How do I calculate the range of a projectile?
Range = (v² × sin(2θ)) / g when launching and landing at the same height, where v is the launch speed and θ is the launch angle.
What is the range of a projectile launched at 20 m/s at a 45° angle?
R = (20² × sin(90°)) / 9.81 ≈ 40.77 m.