If the acceleration is constant and the motion is in a straight line then simplifications become possible. We can define five variables:
– displacement
– initial velocity
– final velocity
– acceleration
– time
and write down five equations that link these five variables:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Given any three of
the others can be calculated by completing a table of the variables and using the suvat equations.
Example: A particle accelerates from rest to a speed of 3m/s in 5 m. Find the final velocity and the time taken.
(since the particle accelerates from rest)
(Note the units are all SI units).
We can find a using equation (3):
Now we can find t using for example, (1):