1. What is Time of Flight?

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 describes the duration of flight for an object launched at an angle.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the time of flight formula:

Where:

• \( t \) — Time of flight (seconds)
• \( v \) — Initial velocity (m/s)
• \( \theta \) — Launch angle (degrees)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (m/s²)

Explanation: The formula calculates the total time a projectile remains airborne, considering both upward and downward motion under constant gravitational acceleration.

3. Importance of Time of Flight Calculation

Details: Time of flight calculations are essential in various fields including ballistics, sports science, aerospace engineering, and physics education. They help predict projectile behavior and optimize launch parameters.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter initial velocity in m/s, launch angle in degrees (0-90°), and gravitational acceleration in m/s². Standard Earth gravity is 9.81 m/s². All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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), where \( t_{max} = \frac{2v}{g} \).

Q2: Does air resistance affect the calculation?
A: Yes, this formula assumes no air resistance. In real-world scenarios with significant air resistance, actual time of flight will be shorter.

Q3: What happens at 45° launch angle?
A: At 45°, the projectile achieves maximum range, but time of flight is not necessarily maximum unless velocity is constant.

Q4: Can this be used for different planets?
A: Yes, simply adjust the gravity value (g) to match the celestial body (Moon: 1.62 m/s², Mars: 3.71 m/s²).

Q5: What if launch and landing heights are different?
A: This formula assumes same launch and landing height. For different heights, a more complex equation is required.