Projectile Motion
Launch an object and predict its path under gravity.
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Question
How do launch speed and direction determine the path and landing point of a thrown object?
Goals
- Simulate two-dimensional motion from an initial position and velocity.
- Predict the maximum height, flight time, and landing distance.
Method
Separate the motion into horizontal and vertical components.
- Keep horizontal velocity constant while gravity changes vertical velocity.
- Update position and velocity in short time steps until the object reaches the ground.
- Compare the numerical path with the familiar parabolic formula.
Try an example
Throw!
Choose an initial velocity and watch gravity turn it into a projectile trajectory.
Controls: Press Enter or click to begin. Drag backward from the ball and release to throw it. Press R after landing to reset or Esc for the title.