1. What is the Impact Speed Formula?

The impact speed formula calculates the velocity of an object just before it hits the ground when dropped from a certain height, assuming free fall and neglecting air resistance. This formula is derived from the conservation of energy principle.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the impact speed formula:

Where:

• \( v \) — Impact speed (m/s)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (m/s²)
• \( h \) — Height (m)

Explanation: The formula is derived from equating potential energy at height h (mgh) with kinetic energy at impact (½mv²), solving for velocity v.

3. Importance of Impact Speed Calculation

Details: Calculating impact speed is crucial for safety analysis, engineering design, accident reconstruction, and understanding free fall physics in various applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter gravitational acceleration (default is Earth's 9.81 m/s²) and height in meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is air resistance neglected in this formula?
A: For simplicity and ideal conditions. In reality, air resistance reduces impact speed, especially for objects with large surface areas or from great heights.

Q2: Can this formula be used on other planets?
A: Yes, simply change the gravitational acceleration value to match the planet's gravity (e.g., 1.62 m/s² for Moon, 3.71 m/s² for Mars).

Q3: What is the time of fall for an object?
A: Time of fall can be calculated using t = √(2h/g), where t is time in seconds.

Q4: Does object mass affect impact speed?
A: No, in vacuum all objects fall at the same rate regardless of mass. Impact speed depends only on height and gravity.

Q5: When is this formula not accurate?
A: When air resistance is significant, for objects with initial velocity, or when falling through fluids with substantial drag.