1. What is Horizontal Velocity?

Horizontal velocity (v_x) is the component of an object's velocity that is parallel to the horizontal plane. In projectile motion, it remains constant (neglecting air resistance) while the vertical velocity changes due to gravity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the horizontal velocity formula:

Where:

• \( v_x \) — Horizontal velocity (m/s)
• \( v \) — Initial velocity (m/s)
• \( \theta \) — Launch angle (degrees)

Explanation: The formula calculates the horizontal component of velocity by multiplying the initial velocity by the cosine of the launch angle.

3. Importance of Horizontal Velocity Calculation

Details: Calculating horizontal velocity is essential in physics, engineering, and sports science for analyzing projectile motion, determining range, and predicting trajectories of objects.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter initial velocity in m/s and launch angle in degrees (0-90°). All values must be valid (velocity > 0, angle between 0-90 degrees).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does horizontal velocity remain constant in projectile motion?
A: In ideal conditions (no air resistance), horizontal velocity remains constant because there are no horizontal forces acting on the projectile.

Q2: How does angle affect horizontal velocity?
A: At a given initial velocity, horizontal velocity is maximized at 0° (completely horizontal) and minimized at 90° (completely vertical).

Q3: What units should I use for this calculation?
A: Use meters per second (m/s) for velocity and degrees for angle. The calculator will automatically convert degrees to radians for the trigonometric calculation.

Q4: Can I use this calculator for angles greater than 90 degrees?
A: The calculator is designed for angles between 0-90 degrees, which represent the typical range for projectile motion problems.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation in real-world scenarios?
A: This calculation provides the theoretical horizontal velocity. In real-world applications, factors like air resistance, wind, and other environmental conditions may affect the actual horizontal velocity.