Calculating Acceleration & Initial Velocity from Displacement, Time & Final Velocity

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pavadrin
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hey,
I’ve been wondering for quite sometime now that if I am given values for displacement, time, and final velocity if it were able to calculate the acceleration and the initial velocity? I have been trying to rearrange the formulas:

[tex]v = u + at[/tex]

[tex]v^2 = u^2 + 2as[/tex]

[tex]s = ut + .5at^2[/tex]

but have been unsuccessful. I would like to know if it were possible to calculate the unknowns using the values given, thanks,
Pavadrin
 
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Päällikkö said:
From the first equation:
[tex]a = \frac{v-u}{t}[/tex]

Substitute to the third.
That still wouldn't be helpful seeing the initial velocity is unknown, what would be helpful is another equation:

[tex]s = t \frac{v+u}{2}[/tex]

And transpose to give

[tex]u = \frac{2s}{t} - v[/tex]

There is another way to calculate a as well using the 3rd formula, make ut = vt and - the [tex].5at^2[/tex]. Which will give you the right answer, you can test it by substituing fake values in.
 
Random333 said:
That still wouldn't be helpful seeing the initial velocity is unknown
Sure it would.
Making the substitution:

[tex]s = ut + \frac{1}{2}(v-u)t[/tex]

[tex]u = 2 \frac{s}{t} - v[/tex]
 
Päällikkö said:
Sure it would.
Making the substitution:

[tex]s = ut + \frac{1}{2}(v-u)t[/tex]

[tex]u = 2 \frac{s}{t} - v[/tex]
Ah, of course.
 
okay thanks for the help everyone :smile: