Home
Back
Initial Velocity Equation:
| From: | To: |
The initial velocity equation (u = v - a t) calculates the starting velocity of an object when you know its final velocity, acceleration, and the time period over which the acceleration occurred. This is derived from the basic kinematic equations of motion.
The calculator uses the initial velocity equation:
Where:
Explanation: This equation calculates the velocity at which an object started moving, given its velocity after a certain time period and the constant acceleration it experienced.
Details: Calculating initial velocity is essential in physics and engineering for analyzing motion, predicting trajectories, solving collision problems, and understanding the dynamics of moving objects in various applications from vehicle safety to sports science.
Tips: Enter final velocity in m/s, acceleration in m/s², and time in seconds. Time must be a positive value. All values should use consistent units for accurate results.
Q1: When is this equation applicable?
A: This equation applies when acceleration is constant and motion is in a straight line. It's one of the fundamental equations of uniformly accelerated motion.
Q2: What if acceleration is negative?
A: Negative acceleration indicates deceleration. The equation still works correctly - it will calculate the higher initial velocity before deceleration occurred.
Q3: Can this be used for projectile motion?
A: Yes, but typically for one component at a time (horizontal or vertical), as acceleration may differ in each direction.
Q4: What are typical units for these measurements?
A: Standard SI units are meters per second (m/s) for velocity, meters per second squared (m/s²) for acceleration, and seconds (s) for time.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact for constant acceleration scenarios. Accuracy depends on the precision of your input measurements.