Analysing motion
Equations and graphs
Physics can be described as modelling the natural world using mathematics.
In the case of moving objects, physics can accurately record and even predict the movement of objects using a set of physical laws and equations.
These equations have helped launch space vehicles and are responsible for the realism of many computer games.
Equations of motion
The equations of motion relate to the following five quantities:
- u - initial velocity
- v - final velocity
- a - acceleration
- t - Term that describes the order and duration of events. For example, the Physics lesson was 50 minutes long.
- s - displacement
Of the above u, v, a, and s are vector quantities. Time (t) is a scalar quantity.
If any three of the five quantities are known then the other two may be calculated using the following four equations:
\(v = u + at\)
\(s = ut + \frac{1}{2}a{t^2}\)
\({v^2}= {u^2} + 2as\)
\(s= \frac{{u + v}}{2}t\)
The equations of motion can only be used for an object travelling in a straight line with a constant acceleration.