Impact Velocity Calculator

Have you ever wondered how fast something falls when you drop it? That’s where an Impact Velocity Calculator comes in handy. This tool helps you figure out the speed of an object right before it hits the ground. It’s based on simple physics, so anyone can use it.

Whether you’re curious about dropping a ball, measuring a fall from a building, or just learning physics, this calculator makes it quick and easy.

What is Impact Velocity?

Impact velocity is the speed of an object at the moment it touches the ground. Imagine dropping your phone from your desk. The instant it hits the floor, that speed is the impact velocity.

The value depends on two things:

• The height the object falls from
• The gravity of the planet it falls on

On Earth, gravity is about 9.81 m/s². That means the higher you drop something, the faster it lands.

Impact Velocity Formula

The formula to calculate impact velocity is:

v = √(2 × g × h)

Where:

• v = impact velocity (m/s)
• g = acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s² on Earth)
• h = height of the fall (m)

This formula assumes there’s no air resistance. It’s a simple way to estimate speed for free-falling objects.

How to Calculate Impact Velocity

Let’s walk through an example.

Suppose you drop an object from a height of 10 meters on Earth.

Step 1: Put the numbers into the formula.

v = √(2 × 9.81 × 10)

Step 2: Solve the equation.

v = √196.2

Step 3: Find the result.

v ≈ 14.01 m/s

That’s about 50 km/h. Pretty fast for a short drop!

How to Use the Calculator

Using our online Impact Velocity Calculator is simple.

1. Enter the height of the fall.
2. Choose the unit (meters, feet, inches, etc.).
3. Select the gravity (Earth, Moon, Mars, or custom).
4. Click calculate.

The tool will instantly show the result in m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, cm/s, and in/s.

Real-World Examples

How fast do you fall from 50 feet?

Convert 50 feet to meters (about 15.24 m).

v = √(2 × 9.81 × 15.24)

v ≈ 17.3 m/s ≈ 62 km/h.

How high is a 2 second fall?

Use the equation h = 0.5 × g × t².

h = 0.5 × 9.81 × (2²)

h ≈ 19.62 m.

How fast does a 200 lb person fall?

Weight doesn’t matter in free fall. Only height and gravity matter. A 200 lb person falls at the same speed as a 20 lb object, if dropped from the same height.

Final Verdict

The Impact Velocity Calculator is a quick way to find how fast things fall. You don’t need to be a physicist to use it. Just enter a height, pick a gravity, and get the result in seconds.

It’s useful for students, teachers, or anyone curious about motion and speed.

FAQs

What is impact velocity?

It’s the speed of an object at the moment it strikes the ground.

Does weight affect impact velocity?

No. Weight doesn’t matter in free fall. Only height and gravity matter.

Can I use the calculator for the Moon or Mars?

Yes. You can pick preset values for other planets or enter your own gravity.

Why is this formula simple?

It assumes no air resistance. That keeps the math easy and clear.