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Time of Flight Equation:
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Time of flight refers to the total time a projectile spends in the air from launch to landing. It is a fundamental concept in projectile motion physics that helps determine how long an object remains airborne under the influence of gravity.
The calculator uses the time of flight equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the total time a projectile remains in the air, considering both the upward and downward phases of motion under constant gravitational acceleration.
Details: Time of flight calculations are essential in various fields including ballistics, sports science, engineering, and physics education. They help predict projectile behavior, optimize launch parameters, and understand motion dynamics.
Tips: Enter initial velocity in m/s, launch angle in degrees (0-90°). All values must be valid (velocity > 0, angle between 0-90 degrees).
Q1: What is the maximum time of flight for a given velocity?
A: Maximum time of flight occurs at a 90° launch angle (vertical projection) and is given by \( t_{max} = \frac{2v}{g} \).
Q2: Does air resistance affect time of flight?
A: Yes, this equation assumes no air resistance. In real-world scenarios with significant air resistance, actual time of flight will be shorter.
Q3: What happens at 0° launch angle?
A: At 0° (horizontal launch), time of flight is zero according to this simplified model, but in reality, it depends on initial height.
Q4: Can this be used for angled launches from height?
A: This equation assumes launch and landing at the same height. For different heights, a more complex equation is needed.
Q5: How does gravity variation affect calculations?
A: The standard value of 9.81 m/s² is used, but gravity varies slightly with location and altitude (9.78-9.83 m/s² on Earth).