Free Fall Calculator
Accurate physics calculation with Air Resistance (Drag) vs. Vacuum
Parameters
Show Advanced Settings (Drag & Area)
Results
Time to Impact
0.00 s
Vacuum: 0.00 s
Impact Velocity
0.00 m/s
Vacuum: 0.00 m/s
Terminal Velocity (Max Speed)
0.00 m/s
How It Works
This calculator uses the quadratic drag equation, which is the standard for atmospheric physics. Unlike simple calculators that assume a vacuum (where a feather and hammer fall at the same speed), this tool accounts for the Drag Force.
The Formula
As an object falls, gravity pulls it down, but air resistance pushes up. The faster it falls, the stronger the air resistance. Eventually, these forces balance out, and the object stops accelerating. This is called Terminal Velocity.
Fdrag = 0.5 × ρ × v² × Cd × A
- ρ (Rho): Air density (usually 1.225 kg/m³ at sea level).
- v: Velocity of the object.
- Cd: Drag Coefficient (depends on shape).
- A: Cross-sectional area.
