1. What is Vertical Velocity?

Vertical velocity is the component of an object's velocity that is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. In projectile motion, it changes due to the acceleration of gravity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the vertical velocity equation:

Where:

• \( v \) — Initial velocity (m/s)
• \( \theta \) — Launch angle (degrees)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²)
• \( t \) — Time (seconds)
• \( v_y \) — Vertical velocity at time t (m/s)

Explanation: The equation calculates the vertical component of velocity by considering the initial upward component (v×sinθ) and subtracting the downward acceleration due to gravity over time (g×t).

3. Importance of Vertical Velocity Calculation

Details: Calculating vertical velocity is essential in projectile motion analysis, ballistics, sports science, and engineering applications where understanding the vertical component of motion is crucial.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter initial velocity in m/s, launch angle in degrees (0-90), time in seconds, and gravity in m/s² (default is Earth's gravity 9.8 m/s²). All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens when vertical velocity becomes zero?
A: When vertical velocity reaches zero, the projectile is at its maximum height in the trajectory.

Q2: Can vertical velocity be negative?
A: Yes, negative vertical velocity indicates the object is moving downward.

Q3: How does angle affect vertical velocity?
A: Higher angles (closer to 90°) result in greater initial vertical velocity components.

Q4: What's the difference between vertical and horizontal velocity?
A: Horizontal velocity remains constant (ignoring air resistance), while vertical velocity changes due to gravity.

Q5: How would this change on other planets?
A: Simply change the gravity value to match the planet's gravitational acceleration (e.g., 3.71 m/s² for Mars).