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Impact Velocity Formula:
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Impact velocity is the speed at which an object hits the ground after falling from a certain height. It's calculated using the principles of physics and conservation of energy, specifically the kinematic equations for free-falling objects.
The calculator uses the impact velocity formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula is derived from the conservation of energy principle, where potential energy at height h is converted to kinetic energy at impact.
Details: Calculating impact velocity is important in various fields including engineering, safety analysis, accident reconstruction, and physics education. It helps determine the force of impact and potential damage caused by falling objects.
Tips: Enter gravitational acceleration (typically 9.8 m/s² on Earth) and the height in meters. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Does this formula account for air resistance?
A: No, this formula assumes a vacuum with no air resistance. In real-world applications with significant air resistance, the actual impact velocity will be lower.
Q2: Can I use this for objects thrown downward?
A: This formula calculates velocity from rest. For objects with initial downward velocity, you would need to use a different formula: v = √(v₀² + 2gh).
Q3: How does gravity affect the result?
A: Higher gravitational acceleration results in higher impact velocity. On different planets with different gravity, the impact velocity would change accordingly.
Q4: What units should I use?
A: Use meters for height and m/s² for gravity to get velocity in m/s. You can convert from other units before entering values.
Q5: Is the impact velocity the same regardless of mass?
A: Yes, in a vacuum, all objects fall at the same rate regardless of mass, so impact velocity depends only on height and gravity, not mass.