V= at or velocity = acceleration x time square

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between velocity, acceleration, and time, specifically questioning the formula V = at and its derivation. Participants explore the definitions and implications of acceleration in the context of motion with constant acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster seeks clarification on the formula V = at, prompting participants to discuss the correct relationships involving initial and final velocities. Some participants question the validity of the formula in general contexts and explore the implications of initial velocity.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the concepts, providing various interpretations of the equations involved. Some have offered insights into the definitions of acceleration and the conditions under which the formula V = at may apply, while others highlight the need for careful consideration of initial conditions.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on the assumption of constant acceleration and the implications of initial velocity being zero. The discussion also touches on the limitations of the formula when acceleration is not constant.

sweet_gen03
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
V= at or velocity = acceleration x time square

so how did they arrived like this formula?




thank you for your reply

need help ,

gen
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The correct relation is v = u + at or a = (v-u)/t
where u stands for initial velocity, v final velocity, and a the [B}constant linear[/B] acceleration.
The result follows since acceleration is defined to be the time rate of change of velocity, and since this rate is a constant here, you can simply take the ratio of the difference between any two velocities at different times, to the time taken . Hence the second equation.
Or simply,
[tex]a=\frac{dv}{dt}[/tex]
[tex]\int adt=\int dv[/tex]
[tex]v=at+C[/tex]
where C is the constant of integration.
Putting t=0 in the expression, we get v=c=u.
The result follows.
 
hooray for calculus
 
For the simple "constant acceleration" case, acceleration is defined as "change in speed"/"change in time". From that you immediately get "change in speed"= acceleration*"change in time" by multiplying both sides of the equation by "change in time".

Notice that the equation you give: v= at is incorrect in general. Writing [itex]\Delta v[/itex] for "change in speed", if t represents the length of time accelerating, then [itex]\Delta v[/itex]= at. [itex]\Delta v= v[/itex] only if the initial velocity is 0. If the initial speed is v0 we can get the final speed by adding "change in speed" to "initial speed":
v= at+ v0.

If the acceleration is not constant, then "change in speed" divided by "change in time" only gives average acceleration. The acceleration at each time is "derivative of speed function with respect to time":
[tex]a(t)= \frac{dv(t)}{dt}[/itex] <br /> and we go from acceleration to speed by integrating:<br /> [tex]v(t)= \int_{t_0}^t a(t)dt[/itex][/tex][/tex]
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Replies
11
Views
1K
Replies
27
Views
2K