Physics Tools
What It Does
Works out how far and how high a projectile travels, how long it stays in the air, and how fast it lands — from a launch speed, angle, and height — and draws the trajectory. Everything runs in your browser.
How to Use It
- Enter the launch speed (m/s or km/h) and angle (0–90°).
- Optionally set a launch height and pick a planet for gravity.
- Read the results and the trajectory chart.
- Click Copy on any result.
About Projectile Motion
A projectile is anything thrown or launched that then moves under gravity alone. The key insight is that its horizontal and vertical motions are independent: horizontally it travels at a constant speed (v₀·cosθ), while vertically it slows, stops at the apex, and speeds back up under gravity — tracing a parabola. The launch angle trades height for distance, and on level ground the sweet spot for maximum range is exactly 45°.
Example
v₀ = 20 m/s, θ = 45°, h₀ = 0 (Earth) → range ≈ 40.8 m, max height ≈ 10.2 m, time of flight ≈ 2.88 s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What angle gives the greatest range?
On level ground, 45° maximizes the range. Angles symmetric about 45° (for example 30° and 60°) give the same range; a launch height above the ground shifts the optimum slightly below 45°.
Does this account for air resistance?
No. These results assume a vacuum (no drag), which is a good approximation for dense, slow objects but overstates the range for light or very fast ones.
Why does launch height matter?
Launching from above the landing plane keeps the projectile in the air longer, so it travels further. This tool solves the full quadratic for the time of flight rather than assuming it lands at the launch height.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. Every calculation runs locally in your browser; nothing you enter is transmitted or stored.