Move the mouse over the projectile path to inspect time, range, and height.
This interactive 3D physics simulation demonstrates projectile motion using a cannon and different launch objects. Students can adjust launch angle, initial speed, initial height, gravity, and air resistance to observe how the projectile trajectory changes.
Projectile motion is the motion of an object launched into the air under the influence of gravity. In the ideal case without air resistance, the horizontal motion has constant velocity while the vertical motion has constant acceleration due to gravity.
Changing the launch angle changes the balance between horizontal and vertical motion. A larger angle gives more vertical motion, while a smaller angle gives more horizontal motion.
Increasing the initial speed increases both the maximum height and horizontal range of the projectile.
Stronger gravity pulls the projectile downward faster, reducing flight time, maximum height, and range.
Air resistance reduces the projectile’s speed during flight, causing a shorter range than the ideal parabolic path.
Projectile motion is the motion of an object launched into the air and moving under the influence of gravity.
Without air resistance, horizontal velocity is constant and vertical acceleration is constant, producing a parabolic trajectory.
For launch and landing at the same height without air resistance, 45° gives the maximum range.
Air resistance slows the projectile and makes the range shorter than the ideal prediction.