Projectile Motion
Fire a projectile and watch the arc. Adjust angle, speed, and air drag to see how range and maximum height change.
Projectile Motion StudioLive
ballistics with air drag
Controls
Launch a projectile and see how angle, speed, and air resistance shape the arc.
Presets
Data Inspector
Range46.1 m
Max height16.1 m
Drag modelquadratic
Governing equation
Reading this result: With this much air drag the range-optimal angle falls below 45° (toward ~35°), and the descent is steeper than the climb.
Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.
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How it works
The trajectory is integrated step by step with gravity and a quadratic air-drag force proportional to the square of speed. With drag off you recover the ideal parabola and the classic 45° optimum; with drag on, the optimal launch angle drops and the path becomes asymmetric — just like a real ball.
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The math, the assumptions, real-world uses, or a code translation — explained for this exact simulation.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this projectile motion simulation tool really free?▾
Yes. Projectile Motion runs entirely in your browser using your device's own compute, so local use is free forever. You only pay Compute Tokens if you scale a job to the cloud.
Do I need to install anything?▾
No. Everything runs client-side in a modern browser — no downloads, no license, no account required to start.
Can I save or share my simulation?▾
Create a free account to save projects, and use a shareable embed or minted DOI to publish a live, interactive version anywhere.
How accurate are the results?▾
The solver uses established numerical methods, but results are for research and educational purposes and should be validated against experiment or professional review before you rely on them.