🎯 **Shoot a Cannon!** A cannon is loaded and a red target wall sits 18 meters away. **How to fire:** 1. Press **▶ Play** to start 2. **Drag the cannonball** — pull back to aim (a dotted arc shows the trajectory) 3. **Release** to fire! Pull farther = more power Watch the parabolic arc. Can you hit the target? Ask me: - *"Why is the path a parabola?"* - *"What angle gives maximum range?"* - *"Move the target to 25 meters"* - *"Explain projectile motion"*

Shoot a Cannon

Fire a cannonball — watch the parabolic arc under gravity

Fire a cannonball and watch physics in action! The moment the ball leaves the barrel, only gravity pulls it down — the horizontal speed stays constant. This creates the beautiful parabolic arc you see in every cannon shot, basketball, and thrown ball.

The key formulas governing the flight:

  • Maximum height: H = v_y^2 / (2g)
  • Range: R = v_0^2 \sin(2\theta) / g
  • Time of flight: T = 2 v_y / g

Press ▶ Play, then drag the cannonball to aim — pull back and release to fire! A dotted arc shows the predicted trajectory. The 45° angle gives maximum range — try it!

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Why does the cannonball follow a parabolic path?
Horizontal position grows linearly (constant speed, no air resistance). Vertical position follows y(t) = v₀sinθ·t − ½gt². Together they trace a parabola — the same shape as y = x² on a graph.
What angle gives maximum range?
45° gives maximum range on flat ground. The range formula R = v₀²sin(2θ)/g peaks when sin(2θ) = 1, which happens at θ = 45°. Angles of 30° and 60° give equal range but different heights.
How does gravity work in this simulator?
Gravity is −9.8 m/s² pulling straight down (y-axis). Each frame, the vertical velocity decreases. The horizontal velocity stays constant — no air resistance. The green ground catches the ball when it lands.
Can I aim at a target?
Yes! Ask the AI to "add a wall at x = 15" or "put a target 20 meters away." Then adjust the angle and power to hit it. This is exactly how artillery calculations work in real warfare.
Why is this a good way to learn physics?
Seeing the trajectory in 3D makes abstract equations concrete. You can rotate the view to see the arc from any angle, change parameters instantly, and understand intuitively why 45° is optimal. The graph shows what the math describes.