Isolating acceleration in distance equation

  • Thread starter Thread starter carinaeeta
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Acceleration
AI Thread Summary
To isolate acceleration in the distance equation, the formula used is distance = (initial velocity * time) + (1/2 * acceleration * time²). The attempt to solve for acceleration resulted in an incorrect formula that only worked for a specific time value of 5. The discussion emphasizes the need for correct algebraic manipulation to derive the proper expression for acceleration. It's suggested to re-evaluate the algebra to achieve the correct calculation. Properly isolating acceleration will enable accurate computation for a simulation program based on user inputs of time, velocity, and distance.
carinaeeta
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Work on an equation to find the value of acceleration with initial velocity, distance and time given.

Homework Equations


distance = ( initial velocity * time ) + ( 1/2 * acceleration * time2 )


The Attempt at a Solution


acceleration = (-1)(velocity)(time) - distance / (1/2 * time2 )

The result I'm getting from what I came up with(above) is only correct when value of time is 5.

The work is for a simulation program where acceleration is computed from user specified time, velocity and distance.

Thanks in advance!

 
Physics news on Phys.org
You have the right idea; you just need to do the algebra correctly.
 
It is the algebra that is the problem, try to argue out the accelleration again and see if it helps.
 
Last edited:

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

Solving for Work Done When Accelerating a Mass
Replies
3
Views
784
Relating acceleration to distance and time
Replies
5
Views
3K
Will The Cars Stop In Time? - Check My Work Please :)
Replies
13
Views
1K
Why do I keep getting friction coefficient as a negative?
Replies
17
Views
3K
Velocity of bullet fired from a gun
Replies
8
Views
2K
Moving in a straight line with multiple constraints
2
Replies
98
Views
6K
Finding the work done by a block
Replies
4
Views
3K
Acceleration of a shot put ball
Replies
3
Views
3K
Truck accelerating down a ramp
Replies
10
Views
1K
Centripetal Acceleration while Swinging a Stone on a String
Replies
9
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top