1.5 Five Key Uniform Acceleration Equations
• As shown in the previous lessons, graphical analysis is an important tool
physicists to use to solve problems. However, sometimes we have enough
information to solve problems algebraically.
• Algebraic methods tend to be quicker and more convenient than
graphical analysis.
• When solving uniform acceleration problems, choose which equations to
use based on the given and required variables of the problem.
1.5 Five Key Uniform Acceleration Equations
• To be able to solve uniform acceleration problems, we need to derive
algebraic equations from a change in velocity using a standard 𝒗˗𝒕 graph .
• The 1st Equation stems from
the area under the 𝒗˗𝒕 graph
1.5 Five Key Uniform Acceleration Equations
• The 2nd Equation stems from
the slope of the 𝒗˗𝒕 graph and
rearranging for 𝑣𝑓 .
1.5 Five Key Uniform Acceleration Equations
• In order to produce the 3rd Equation, we substitute Equation 2 into
Equation 1 for 𝑣𝑓 as shown below.
• Equations 4 and 5 are similarly produced via substitution, by rearranging
Equation 2 for 𝑣𝑖 and ∆t.
1.5 Five Key Uniform Acceleration Equations
• SP #1-3 p.38-39
1.5 Five Key Uniform Acceleration Equations
• It is important to note that these five equations are used only when an
object undergoes acceleration, a change in velocity.
• If an object is travelling at a constant velocity, we simply use the equation
for constant velocity from section 1.2.
1.5 Homework
Practice # 1,2 p.39
Questions #1-6 p.39