How do I find the distance traveled if I know the acceleration and time?

AI Thread Summary
The correct formula for calculating distance traveled under constant acceleration is D = (A * T^2) / 2, not D = A * T^2. A user sought confirmation on this formula, and after some back-and-forth, the correct equation was clarified. An example calculation showed that with an acceleration of 32 feet per second squared over 9 seconds, the distance covered would be approximately 1296 feet, which is close to a quarter mile. There was also a discussion about a broken link to a physics resource, which led to confusion. Overall, the thread focused on verifying the correct formula for distance based on acceleration and time.
vbman11
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so if A is the acceleration
and T is time
and D is distance
then

D = A * T^2

right?
 
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vbman11 said:
I was looking for a quick check to make sure I'm right... so yes or no?

Please look at the link. The answer is right there in a big box on the front page.
 
Sry bud you just sent me a link to a page that contains an HTML frame. go ahead and try that link out for yourself and see. It'll just show the home page.
 
vbman11 said:
Sry bud you just sent me a link to a page that contains an HTML frame. go ahead and try that link out for yourself and see. It'll just show the home page.

Oopsies. I didn't realize the link didn't follow me down a couple of click levels. I'll have to figure out how to fix that.

In the mean time, just click on Mechanics, and then on Velocity & Acceleration.

Does that work okay?
 
vbman11 said:
so if A is the acceleration
and T is time
and D is distance
then

D = A * T^2

right?
Nope, it's (A *T^2 )/2

So 9 seconds and 32 f/s (1g) would cover about one quarter mile, 1320 feet.
32*81=2592, divide by 2=1296 feet. A true quarter mile would be about 9.08 seconds.

73 Berkeman, AI3N here. 2 meters, 70 cm, 20/30/40/80 voice mainly. Antenna blew down, need one of those air powered potato guns to get the dipole back in the trees!
 
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