Given total time of given acceleration to get final velocity?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around kinematics, specifically the relationship between acceleration, time, final velocity, and distance. Participants are exploring how to calculate final velocity and distance given constant and variable acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand if multiplying acceleration by time yields final velocity and whether distance can be calculated by multiplying velocity by time. Other participants clarify the use of kinematic equations for constant acceleration and raise the question of how to approach the problem if acceleration is not constant.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the concepts, with some providing guidance on using kinematic equations for constant acceleration. There is an exploration of different scenarios, particularly regarding constant versus variable acceleration, indicating a productive direction in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions an upcoming exam, suggesting a time constraint and a focus on clarifying these concepts before the test.

pebbles
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can i just multiply the acceleration by time to get the final velocity? and then, if i wanted to get distance with the same three variables-time, acceleration, and velocity, would i just multiply velocity by total time i am given?



thanks in advance. I'm trying to clear some things up before my exam on thursday.
 
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pebbles said:
can i just multiply the acceleration by time to get the final velocity?
If the acceleration is constant:
v = v_0 + a t

and then, if i wanted to get distance with the same three variables-time, acceleration, and velocity, would i just multiply velocity by total time i am given?
The change in displacement will equal average velocity times the time.

Review the kinematic equations here: Basic Equations of 1-D Kinematics

Or here: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/mot.html#mot1
 
what if acceleration isn't constant?
 
You would need to integrate acceleration with respect to time.

v = integrate[a dt]
 

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