# Do I need Calculus?

1. May 31, 2009

### ScienceNerd36

Hello there my fellow atomic aficionados.

I was simply wondering if I need the mathematical tool of calculus under my metaphorical belt, when calculating the instantaneous speed of an object at a certain point of acceleration?

The Eccentric,
ScienceNerd36.

2. May 31, 2009

### lolgarithms

"at a certain point of acceleration" - i don't really know what you mean, but does that mean at a certain point of the function a(t0) = dv/dt at t0?

then you integrate a(t) to get v(t), and evaluate v(t) at any t0 you want.

3. May 31, 2009

### ScienceNerd36

I mean if an object was accelerating at 10m/s/s and you took a picture of the object a certain amount of time after the object began its motion, would you need calculus to work out the objects speed at that point.

4. May 31, 2009

### Staff: Mentor

If the acceleration is constant you won't need calculus, just basic kinematics.

5. May 31, 2009

### ScienceNerd36

Thanks, you really helped me out.

6. May 31, 2009

### protonchain

$$v_{f} = v_{0} + at$$