Solve motion equations: v = u+at | s = ut+½at² | v² = u²+2as | Kinematics Solver
Result
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📝 Step-by-step solution
Select equation & enter values
📐 Leave exactly ONE field empty to solve for it | All values in SI units (m, m/s, m/s², s)
📖 How to Use This Physics Calculator
1
Select what to solve for - Choose Final Velocity (v), Displacement (s), Acceleration (a), Initial Velocity (u), or Time (t).
2
Enter known values - Fill in the known variables (leave exactly ONE field empty).
3
Click "Calculate" - Get the result with step-by-step solution using the appropriate SUVAT equation.
⚡ Understanding Kinematic Equations (SUVAT)
The SUVAT equations describe motion with uniform (constant) acceleration. They are essential for solving physics problems involving moving objects. The five variables are:
s = displacement (distance traveled in meters)
u = initial velocity (starting speed in m/s)
v = final velocity (ending speed in m/s)
a = acceleration (rate of velocity change in m/s²)
t = time (duration in seconds)
📊 SUVAT Equations
Equation 1: v = u + a·t Equation 2: s = u·t + ½·a·t² Equation 3: v² = u² + 2·a·s Equation 4: s = ½·(u + v)·t
💡 Real-World Applications
Free Fall: Calculating time and velocity of falling objects (a = g = 9.8 m/s²)
Vehicle Motion: Determining stopping distance, braking time, and acceleration
Projectile Motion: Analyzing vertical and horizontal components of motion
Spacecraft Launch: Calculating required acceleration and velocity changes
Sports Physics: Analyzing sprint times, ball throwing, and jumping heights
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does uniform acceleration mean?
Uniform acceleration means the acceleration is constant - it doesn't change over time. Examples include free fall near Earth's surface (g = 9.8 m/s²) and objects moving with constant force.
What is the acceleration due to gravity?
On Earth, acceleration due to gravity (g) is approximately 9.8 m/s² downward. For free fall problems, use a = 9.8 m/s² (positive downward or negative upward depending on sign convention).
Can acceleration be negative?
Yes! Negative acceleration (deceleration) means the object is slowing down. Example: a car braking with a = -5 m/s². Our calculator handles negative numbers correctly.
What is the difference between displacement and distance?
Displacement (s) is the straight-line distance from start to end position with direction. Distance is the total path length traveled. In these equations, s represents displacement.
Can I use this for projectile motion?
Yes, for vertical motion under gravity. For full 2D projectile motion, you need to treat horizontal (constant velocity) and vertical (constant acceleration) components separately.
What units should I use?
Use SI units: meters (m) for displacement, meters per second (m/s) for velocity, meters per second squared (m/s²) for acceleration, and seconds (s) for time.