Physical Principles & Mathematical Derivation
Because both horizontal range and maximum apex height scale inversely with gravitational acceleration g, an astronaut launching a ball at 22 m/s on the Moon (g = 1.62 m/s²) achieves over six times the distance and flight duration seen on Earth!
Questions & Concepts
What physical equation governs Planetary Gravity Ballistics: Earth, Moon, Mars & Jupiter Lab?
R ∝ 1 / g ⇒ R_Moon ≈ 6.05 × R_Earth — Because both horizontal range and maximum apex height scale inversely with gravitational acceleration g, an astronaut launching a ball at 22 m/s on the Moon (g = 1.62 m/s²) achieves over six times the distance and flight duration seen on Earth!
How are the equations of motion integrated in this simulation?
Nonlinear differential equations are integrated at 240–300 Hz substeps using classical 4th-order Runge-Kutta (RK4) to maintain strict Hamiltonian energy accuracy.