How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the mass of the object in kilograms (kg)
- Enter the initial velocity of the object in meters per second (m/s)
- Enter the coefficient of restitution (e) - a value between 0 and 1 representing how bouncy the collision is (0 = perfectly inelastic, 1 = perfectly elastic)
- Enter the friction coefficient - a value between 0 and 1 representing the friction between the object and the surface
- Click the "Calculate" button to compute the impact forces
Understanding the Results
The calculator provides three key results:
- Horizontal Impact Force: The force exerted horizontally during the impact
- Vertical Impact Force: The force exerted vertically during the impact
- Total Impact Energy: The total kinetic energy that must be dissipated during the impact
Formula Explanation
The calculator uses the following simplified physics model:
Impact Force = (m × v) / t
Where:
- m = Mass of the object (kg)
- v = Initial velocity (m/s)
- t = Time of impact (s) - approximated using the coefficient of restitution and friction coefficient
The time of impact is calculated as:
t = 2 × m × v × (1 - e) / (k × μ)
Where:
- e = Coefficient of restitution
- k = A constant (assumed as 1 for simplicity)
- μ = Friction coefficient
Practical Applications
This calculator can be used in various scenarios including:
- Designing crash test dummies and vehicle safety features
- Calculating forces in sports equipment design
- Engineering for structural impact protection
- Understanding forces in everyday activities like dropping objects or collisions
Important Notes
This calculator provides simplified estimates of impact forces. In real-world scenarios, other factors such as deformation, material properties, and complex motion may affect the actual forces.