1. What is the Ballistic Trajectory Equation?

The ballistic trajectory equation calculates the vertical position of a projectile at a given time, accounting for initial velocity and gravity. It's fundamental in physics for understanding projectile motion.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the ballistic trajectory equation:

Where:

• \( v \) — Initial velocity (m/s)
• \( t \) — Time (seconds)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s² on Earth)

Explanation: The equation accounts for both the initial upward motion (v × t) and the downward pull of gravity (0.5 × g × t²).

3. Importance of Ballistic Calculations

Details: Accurate trajectory calculations are crucial for ballistics, sports science, engineering, and any application involving projectile motion.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter velocity in m/s, time in seconds, and gravity in m/s² (9.81 for Earth). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does negative trajectory mean?
A: A negative result indicates the projectile is below the launch point at that time.

Q2: Does this account for air resistance?
A: No, this is the basic equation without air resistance or other real-world factors.

Q3: What's the maximum height calculation?
A: Maximum height occurs when time = v/g. Plug this time into the equation to find peak height.

Q4: Can this be used for horizontal motion?
A: This calculates vertical motion only. For full 2D trajectory, you'd need separate x and y calculations.

Q5: What units should I use?
A: This calculator uses metric units (m/s, seconds, m/s²). For imperial units, convert first or use an imperial version.