A projectile motion visualizer animates the flight of a projectile in real time using physics equations. Unlike a static calculator, you can watch the trajectory unfold frame-by-frame as you adjust launch angle, initial velocity, and gravity — ideal for building physics intuition.
Trajectory Simulation
Launch Parameters
Gravity Presets
Flight Results
Key Formulas
How to Use the Projectile Motion Visualizer
This visualizer lets you experiment with projectile motion by changing parameters and watching the trajectory animate in real time. It's ideal for building intuition about how angle, speed, and gravity affect flight.
Step 1: Set Your Launch Parameters
Use the three sliders to set the launch angle (1–89 degrees), initial velocity (5–100 m/s), and gravity (1–30 m/s²). The angle and velocity directly determine range and height. At 45 degrees with 50 m/s on Earth, the projectile travels about 255 meters.
Step 2: Choose a Gravity Preset (Optional)
Click one of the planet buttons — Mars (3.72 m/s²), Earth (9.81 m/s²), Moon (1.62 m/s²), or Jupiter (24.79 m/s²) — to instantly switch gravity. On the Moon, the same launch sends a projectile about 6 times farther than on Earth. This is a classic way to understand why Apollo astronauts could drive golf balls so far.
Step 3: Click Launch
Press the Launch button to start the animation. The projectile arcs across the canvas, leaving a dotted trace. Dashed lines mark maximum height and landing range. Real-time position, velocity, and elapsed time display below the canvas as the projectile flies.
Step 4: Read Flight Results
After landing, the results panel shows: Range (horizontal distance), Max Height, Flight Time, and Impact Speed. The formula panel shows the underlying equations: R = v₀² sin(2θ)/g, H = v₀² sin²(θ)/(2g), and T = 2v₀ sin(θ)/g.
Air Resistance Toggle
Toggle Air Resistance to see how drag affects the trajectory. With air resistance, the projectile slows during flight, reaches a lower max height, and lands shorter than predicted by the ideal equations — the descent is noticeably steeper than the ascent.
Physics Behind Projectile Motion
Projectile motion separates into two independent components. Horizontally: x = v₀ cos(θ) × t (constant velocity). Vertically: y = v₀ sin(θ) × t − ½gt² (constant acceleration). These combine to produce a parabolic path. The optimal angle for maximum range on flat ground is always 45 degrees in a vacuum — complementary angles (e.g., 30° and 60°) produce equal ranges but different heights and flight times.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our guide: How Projectile Motion Works.
FAQ
What is projectile motion?
Projectile motion is the curved path an object follows when launched with an initial velocity under the influence of gravity alone. The horizontal velocity remains constant while gravity continuously accelerates the object downward, creating a parabolic trajectory.
What launch angle gives maximum range?
On flat ground with no air resistance, 45 degrees gives the maximum range. This is because range equals v₀² × sin(2θ) / g, which is maximized when sin(2θ) = 1, i.e., 2θ = 90°, so θ = 45°.
How does gravity affect the trajectory?
Higher gravity means steeper, shorter trajectories. On the Moon (1.62 m/s²), the same launch sends a projectile 6 times farther and higher than on Earth. On Jupiter (24.79 m/s²), trajectories are much flatter and shorter.
Is this visualizer free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. The animation runs entirely in your browser using Matter.js physics engine.
Is my data private?
Yes. All calculations and animations run locally in your browser. No data is ever sent to a server.
How does the animation differ from the static calculator?
The calculator gives you instant numeric results for angle and velocity inputs. This visualizer animates the actual flight in real time, letting you see max height, range, and trajectory shape change as you move sliders — ideal for building intuition about the physics.
What does air resistance do to the trajectory?
Air resistance causes the projectile to slow down, shortens the range, and makes the trajectory asymmetric — the descent is steeper than the ascent. Toggle air resistance to compare with and without drag.