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

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of using given values for displacement, time, and final velocity to calculate the unknowns of acceleration and initial velocity. The participants mention various equations and ways to rearrange them, including substituting values and transposing. Ultimately, they come to a conclusion that it is possible to calculate the unknowns using the given values.
  • #1
pavadrin
156
0
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
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
From the first equation:
[tex]a = \frac{v-u}{t}[/tex]

Substitute to the third.
 
  • #3
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.
 
  • #4
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]
 
  • #5
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.
 
  • #6
okay thanks for the help everyone :smile:
 

1. How do you calculate acceleration?

To calculate acceleration, you must divide the change in velocity by the change in time. This can be written as a = (vf - vi) / t, where a is acceleration, vf is final velocity, vi is initial velocity, and t is time.

2. What is initial velocity?

Initial velocity refers to the starting velocity of an object. It can be thought of as the speed and direction at which the object was traveling before any acceleration or deceleration occurred.

3. How do you calculate initial velocity?

To calculate initial velocity, you must rearrange the equation for acceleration to solve for vi. This can be written as vi = vf - at, where vi is initial velocity, vf is final velocity, a is acceleration, and t is time.

4. What is displacement?

Displacement is the change in position of an object. It is typically measured as the straight-line distance between the object's initial and final positions.

5. How do you calculate displacement?

To calculate displacement, you must subtract the initial position from the final position. This can be written as d = xf - xi, where d is displacement, xf is final position, and xi is initial position.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
17
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
701
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
782
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
166
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
2
Replies
56
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
953
Back
Top