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Projectile Motion & Elastic Collision (3D)

Fires a real 3D projectile under gravity along an analytic parabola (p = p0 + v0t + ½gt²). On impact with the target sphere, a vector elastic-collision formula (the 3D generalization of v1' = ((m1-m2)v1 + 2m2v2) / (m1+m2)) computes both bodies' new velocities, conserving momentum and kinetic energy.
Launch speed16 m/s
Elevation angle32°
Azimuth (aim)0°
Gravity g9.8 m/s²
Projectile mass m12.0 kg
Target mass m24.0 kg
Target distance14 m

Live readout

Ready to launch
t0.00 s
Height y0.0 m
Range x0.0 m
Speed |v1|0.0 m/s
Max height0.0 m
p total (in)–
p total (out)–
KE (in)–
KE (out)–
v1'–
v2'–
Drag to orbit · Scroll to zoom · Sliders set launch & masses

3D Projectile Motion & Elastic Collision Simulator

This simulator ports the projectile-motion kinematics (s = v0t + ½at²) and the elastic-collision formula (v1' = ((m1-m2)v1 + 2m2v2) / (m1+m2)) from their original 2D calculator form into a genuine 3D scene: a launcher fires a sphere along a true parabolic arc through adjustable gravity, elevation and azimuth, and when it strikes a second, resting sphere, the exact vector generalization of that elastic collision formula computes both bodies' outgoing velocities. Momentum and kinetic energy readouts before and after impact let you verify conservation directly, and a full drag-to-orbit, scroll-to-zoom camera lets you inspect the trajectory and impact from any angle.

Adjust launch speed, elevation and azimuth to aim the shot, dial gravity between lunar, Martian and terrestrial values, set the projectile and target masses, and place the target at any distance before firing. After the collision both spheres keep falling under gravity until they land, so you can watch the full energy story play out from launch to rest.