The kinematic equations refer to a set of four equations that involve five key variables: displacement (Δx), acceleration (a), initial velocity (vi), final velocity (vf), and time (t). These equations serve as a powerful tool for analyzing the motion of objects. Each equation contains four known kinematic variables and one unknown variable, allowing us to determine missing information about an object’s motion. It’s important to note that the kinematic equations are specifically applicable when an object undergoes constant acceleration, and they are not used when the acceleration is changing.
The four different kinematic equations are:
- When “Δx” is missing, use the equation: vf = vi + a t
- When “a” is missing, use the equation: Δx = ½ × (vi + vf) t
- When “vf” is missing, use the equation: Δx = vi t + ½ a t2
- When “t” is missing, use the equation: vf2 = vi2 + 2 a Δx
Practice problems
Problem #1
Calculate the acceleration of a bicycle that goes from 0 m/s to 75 m/s in 15 s.
Solution
Given data:
- Acceleration of a bicycle, a = ?
- Initial velocity of a bicycle, vi = 0 m/s
- Final velocity of a bicycle, vf = 75 m/s
- Time taken by a bicycle, t = 15 s
Applying the formula, when “Δx” is missing:
- vf = vi + a t
- 75 = 0 + (a × 15)
- 75 = a × 15
- a = 75/15
- a = 5 m/s2
Therefore, the acceleration of a bicycle is 5 m/s2.
Problem #2
An athlete participating in the Olympic race accelerates from 4 m/s to 12 m/s in 6 s. Calculate the displacement of the athlete.
Solution
Given data:
- Initial velocity of an athlete, vi = 4 m/s
- Final velocity of an athlete, vf = 12 m/s
- Time taken by an athlete, t = 6 s
- Displacement of an athlete, Δx = ?
Applying the formula, when “a” is missing:
- Δx = ½ × (vi + vf) t
- Δx = ½ × [(4 +12 ) × 6]
- Δx = 16 × 3
- Δx = 48 m
Therefore, the displacement of an athlete is 48 m.
Problem #3
A car starts from rest and accelerates at a rate of 15 m/s2 for 4 s. Calculate the displacement of the car during this time interval.
Solution
Given data:
- Initial velocity of a car, vi = 0 m/s
- Acceleration of a car, a = 15 m/s2
- Time taken by a car, t = 4 s
- Displacement of a car, Δx = ?
Applying the formula, when “vf” is missing:
- Δx = vi t + ½ a t2
- Δx = [0 × (4)] + [½ × 15 × (4)2]
- Δx = ½ × 15 × 16
- Δx = 120 m
Therefore, the displacement of a car is 120 m.
Problem #4
A boy is riding a bike on the highway with a velocity of 20 m/s. To stop the bike at the gas station, he applies the brakes, causing the bike to decelerate at 8 m/s2. Calculate the displacement of the bike.
Solution
Given data:
- Initial velocity of a bike, vi = 20 m/s
- Final velocity of a bike, vf = 0 m/s
- Deceleration of a bike, a = -8 m/s2
- Displacement of a bike, Δx = ?
Applying the formula, when “t” is missing:
- vf2 = vi2 + 2 a Δx
- (0)2 = (20)2 + [2 × (-8) × Δx]
- 16 × Δx = (20)2
- 16 × Δx = 400
- Δx = 400/16
- Δx = 25 m
Therefore, the displacement of a bike is 25 m.
Related
- Free fall equation
- Air resistance formula
- Terminal velocity equation
- Gravity equation
- Inertia formula
- Acceleration formula
- Momentum equation
- Mass formula
- Velocity formula
- Pressure equation
- Kinematic equations
- Friction equation
External links
- Kinematic Equations – The Physics Classroom
- What are the kinematic formulas? (article) – Khan Academy
- Kinematic Equations – PASCO scientific
- Kinematic Equations: Explanation, Review, and Examples – Albert
- Kinematics equations – Wikipedia
- Lesson Explainer: Kinematic Equations – Nagwa
- Kinematics (Description of Motion) Problems – Physics – University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
- Using Kinematic Equations to Solve for an Unknown Time Interval – Study.com
- What are the Kinematic Equations? | 4 Formulas & Examples – Voovers
- How to Solve Kinematic Equations – UPchieve
- Kinematic Equations for Objects in Free Fall – Saylor Academy
- Honors Physics: Kinematic Equations – APlusPhysics
- Kinematic Equations – II | Physics – Journal of Visualized Experiments
- Why do kinematic equations only work with constant acceleration? – Physics Stack Exchange
- How to use the Kinematic Equations (w/ Derivations) – Sciencing
- How do I know which kinematic equation to use? – Quora
- Kinematic Equations Formula – SoftSchools.com
- High School Physics : Kinematic Equations – Varsity Tutors
- Kinematic Equation – an overview – ScienceDirect
- Kinematic Equations: Meaning & Derivation – Physics – Vaia
Deep
Learnool.com was founded by Deep Rana, who is a mechanical engineer by profession and a blogger by passion. He has a good conceptual knowledge on different educational topics and he provides the same on this website. He loves to learn something new everyday and believes that the best utilization of free time is developing a new skill.