Impact Energy Calculator
Calculate the energy released during impacts and collisions
Impact energy can be calculated in two ways:
- Using velocity (kinetic energy):
- E = (1/2) × m × v²
- m = mass in kilograms (kg)
- v = velocity at impact in meters per second (m/s)
- Using height (potential energy):
- E = m × g × h
- m = mass in kilograms (kg)
- g = acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²)
- h = height in meters (m)
This calculator can use either method, depending on the information available.
Common Units:
- Mass: Measured in kilograms (kg)
- Velocity: Measured in meters per second (m/s)
- Height: Measured in meters (m)
- Energy: Measured in Joules (J) or foot-pounds (ft⋅lb)
Key Conversions:
- 1 Joule = 0.737562149 foot-pounds
- 1 kg = 2.20462262 pounds
- 1 meter = 3.28084 feet
- 1 m/s = 3.28084 ft/s
Impact energy calculations are essential for:
- Crash testing and safety analysis
- Structural engineering and material testing
- Sports equipment design
- Protective gear development
- Industrial safety assessments
- Ballistics and impact resistance testing
What is impact energy?
Impact energy is the energy transferred during a collision or impact event. It represents the work done when two objects collide or when an object strikes a surface, and it depends on the mass and velocity (or height) of the impacting object.
Why are there two calculation methods?
The two methods (using velocity or height) represent different ways of determining the energy involved in an impact. The velocity method is more direct, while the height method assumes all potential energy is converted to kinetic energy at impact.
Which method should I use?
Use the velocity method when you know the speed at impact, and use the height method when you know the drop height. The height method assumes no energy loss during fall and is ideal for vertical drop scenarios.