We don't have to use the SUVAT equations only with motion in a straight line. In general the displacement, initial velocity, final velocity and acceleration are all vectors and we can write the SUVAT equations as vector equations.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
If
and
are along the same line then (4) can be written
We can use suvat in the normal way by filling out as much as possible the list
and on this basis deciding which equation to use.
Notice that time remains a scalar.
The examples below illustrate how vectors are used.
If
and
then we can use (3) to find
We can use (1) to find the displacement at this time.
