1. What is Projectile Speed?

The projectile speed is the magnitude of the resultant velocity vector, calculated from its horizontal (vx) and vertical (vy) components. It represents the actual speed of the projectile regardless of its direction.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Pythagorean theorem:

Where:

• \( v \) — Resultant velocity (m/s)
• \( v_x \) — Horizontal velocity component (m/s)
• \( v_y \) — Vertical velocity component (m/s)

Explanation: The formula combines the orthogonal velocity components to find the actual speed of the projectile.

3. Importance of Projectile Speed Calculation

Details: Calculating projectile speed is essential in physics, engineering, ballistics, and sports science to understand motion characteristics and predict trajectories.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both horizontal and vertical velocity components in meters per second (m/s). The calculator will compute the resultant speed.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between velocity and speed?
A: Velocity is a vector quantity (has magnitude and direction), while speed is a scalar quantity (magnitude only).

Q2: Can this be used for 3D motion?
A: For 3D motion, you would need to add a z-component: \( v = \sqrt{v_x^2 + v_y^2 + v_z^2} \).

Q3: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses meters per second (m/s), but the formula works with any consistent units.

Q4: How does angle affect projectile speed?
A: The speed remains constant (ignoring air resistance), but the components change with angle.

Q5: What if I only know the angle and speed?
A: You can calculate components using trigonometry: \( v_x = v \cdot \cos(\theta) \), \( v_y = v \cdot \sin(\theta) \).