So, what is the problem?

  • Thread starter JayJohn85
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In summary: However, when you substituted the values, you made a mistake in your calculation. The correct result should be:10 * 2 = 2020 - 10 = 10a = 10 m/sec^2So in summary, the equation a = (v - u)/t is correct and works when the values are substituted correctly. In this case, the acceleration is 10 m/sec^2.
  • #1
JayJohn85
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Sorry I can't get latex working so bear with me as I am new to it. I start A-level physics in a week and during my own research I have come across something that confuses me.

Acceleration= Final velocity - Initial velocity divided by time.

What is confusing me is when your deriving other equations from this you get

at=v - u
Multiply both sides by t gives at=v-u. This confuses me cause I would get something like this

at=vt - ut

So I substituted some values into see if at=v - u works.

Acceleration= 10 m/sec^2
Time= 2 seconds
Final velocity= 20 m/s
Initial velocity= 10 m/s

10*2= 20
20-10=10
? 20 does not equal 10 so how does at=v - u work?

Doing it my way I got at= vt - ut
20*2= 40
10*2= 20
40-20= 20
at=vt - ut

Then I thought about cancelling the time term for some reason and I got
10
20-10= 10
a= v - u

Probably being really stupid here and need to go over my rudimentary algebra. Ignore this I got it acceleration is actually 5 I didnt use the equation at the start right
 
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  • #2
JayJohn85 said:
So I substituted some values into see if at=v - u works.

Acceleration= 10 m/sec^2
Time= 2 seconds
Final velocity= 20 m/s
Initial velocity= 10 m/s

Those numbers are inconsistent. with each other Either the acceleration should be 5 m/sec^2, or the final velocity should be 30 m/s, or something else is wrong.

The equations you stated is correct (for the average acceleration, or if the acceleration is constant):
a = (v - u)/t

Multiplying by t you get
at = v - u
 

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