Free Fall Calculator
Calculate free fall velocity and distance under gravity.
Quadratic Equation Solver (ax² + bx + c = 0)
About Free Fall Calculator
The Gravitational Free Fall & Terminal Velocity Calculator computes falling time ($t = \sqrt{2h/g}$), impact velocity ($v = \sqrt{2gh}$), fall distance ($h = \frac{1}{2}gt^2$), atmospheric air drag terminal velocity ($v_t = \sqrt{\frac{2mg}{\rho A C_d}}$), and planetary gravity effects (Earth, Moon, Mars).
How to Use Free Fall Calculator
Step 1
Enter Drop Height or Fall Duration.
Step 2
Optionally select a planet or enable air drag parameters.
Step 3
Review computed impact velocity, descent duration, and kinetic impact energy.
Step 4
Click "Copy Free Fall Specs".
Practical Use Cases for Free Fall Calculator
Drop Tower, Skydiving & Cliff Jumping Impact Physics
Calculate free fall descent duration in seconds and ground impact speed in mph / km/h from known drop heights.
Industrial Equipment Drop-Testing & Shock Packaging
Compute exact drop impact velocities and peak impact kinetic energy for packaged electronics drop-test certifications.
Input & Output Examples
Calculating Free Fall from 50 Meters Height on Earth
Drop Height ($h$): `50.0 meters (164 ft)`, Gravity ($g$): `9.80665 m/s² (Earth)`
Fall Duration ($t$): `3.19 seconds` | Impact Velocity ($v$): `31.32 m/s (112.7 km/h / 70.0 mph)` | Energy per kg: `490.3 J/kg`
Key Features & Performance
- ✓Modes: Vacuum Ideal Free Fall (zero drag) and Atmospheric Aerodynamic Air Resistance Mode with Drag Coefficient ($C_d$).
- ✓Terminal Velocity Solver: calculates asymptotic terminal speed based on cross-sectional frontal area and fluid density.
- ✓Planetary Presets: Earth ($9.81\text{ m/s}^2$), Moon ($1.62\text{ m/s}^2$), Mars ($3.71\text{ m/s}^2$), Jupiter ($24.79\text{ m/s}^2$).
- ✓100% Client-Side physics engine.
- ✓1-Click Copy free fall report.
Key Terminology & Definitions
Free Fall
The motion of an object where gravity is the only force acting upon it, accelerating downwards at rate $g$.
Terminal Velocity ($v_t$)
The constant maximum speed attained by a falling object when the upward aerodynamic drag force equals the downward gravitational force ($F_d = mg$).