Throw a ball straight up and it goes high but not far; roll it flat and it goes far but low. Split the difference at 45° and it travels farthest, because that angle best shares the throw between height and distance against gravity's pull.
Two motions at once
Throw a ball and it does two things at the same time: it moves forward at a steady pace, and it rises then falls because gravity pulls it down. These two motions are independent — gravity does not care how fast you are going sideways. Together they trace a graceful curve called a parabola.
range = 40.8 m · peak height = 10.2 m
45° gives the longest throw — steeper trades distance for height. Gravity pulls the same either way.
Change the launch angle and speed. A low angle stays flat; a high angle goes up but not out. Around 45° sends it farthest.
Too flat and the ball hits the ground before it can travel; too steep and it wastes its speed climbing. Splitting the difference at 45° gives the longest range on level ground.
- Throw a soft ball at a low angle (about 20°) and mark where it lands.
- Throw it again as close to 45° as you can, using the same effort.
- Finally throw it steeply (about 70°) with the same effort.
- Compare the three landing marks. Which angle went farthest?
What you should see: You confirmed with your own arm that a mid-range angle near 45° maximizes distance — the result the simulation predicts.