v_y^2 = 2gh \Rightarrow h = \frac{v_y^2}{2g} = \frac{15^2}{2 \cdot 9.8} = \frac{225}{19.6} \approx 11.48 \, \text{m}

Wed, 06 May 2026 23:27:13 +0000

Understanding the Projectile Motion Formula: h = v_y² / (2g) In physics, especially when analyzing projectile motion, one of the most essential formulas relates the vertical velocity of an object to its maximum height. The equation v_y² = 2gh captures the relationship between the vertical component of an object’s initial velocity, gravitational acceleration, and the peak height reached during free fall. Rearranged, this gives the straightforward formula for calculating maximum height: h = v_y² / (2g) This formula is not only fundamental in physics education but also widely applied in sports, engineering, and even outdoor activities like launching model rockets or estimating the drop zones of falling objects.