Physics·Kinematics

Projectile Motion Simulator

Change the angle, the speed, or the gravity and watch the trajectory update in real time.

Range R91.7 m

Max height H22.9 m

Time T4.32 s

Gravity g9.81 m/s²

Mass m1.00 kg

Weight mg9.81 N

Drag Cd0.00

|F_d| now0.00 N

|v| now30.0 m/s

mg (weight)

F_d (drag)

v (velocity)

a (net accel)

Right-click drag = draw arrow · single-click = mark

Launch angle45°Initial speed30m/sMass1kgDrag coeff Cd0

Gravity

Show full trajectory preview

Projectile motion is the classic first-year physics setup: a body launched near the surface of a planet, moving under gravity alone. Two axes, one constant acceleration, and a surprisingly rich set of behaviours. Use the sliders below to change the launch angle, initial speed, and gravity. The trajectory, range, maximum height, and time of flight update live.

Key equations

Range

$R = \dfrac{u^2 \sin(2\theta)}{g}$

Max height

$H = \dfrac{u^2 \sin^2\theta}{2g}$

Time of flight

$T = \dfrac{2u \sin\theta}{g}$

Trajectory

$y = x\tan\theta - \dfrac{g x^2}{2u^2\cos^2\theta}$

Key ideas to remember

1
Horizontal velocity is constant; vertical velocity is what changes.
2
Range is maximized at $\theta = 45°$ — for a fixed speed on flat ground.
3
Trajectory is a parabola in $x$ – $y$ (once you eliminate $t$ ).
4
On the Moon ( $g \approx 1.6$ m/s²), the same throw goes ~6× further.

Projectile Motion Simulator

Key equations

Key ideas to remember

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