Description of Motion in One Dimension

A bar above any quantity indicates that it is the average value of that quantity. If the acceleration is constant, then equations 1,2 and 3 represent a complete description of the motion. Equation 4 is obtained by a combination of the others. Click on any of the equations for an example. Graphing one-dimensional motion

Distance, Average Velocity and Time

Distance, Average Velocity and Time

Forms of Motion Equations

Forms of Motion Equations

Motion Example

Initial velocity =m/s, Final velocity =m/s Distance traveled x = m

In this example, the items labeled on the diagram are considered primary: if one of them is changed, the others remain the same. The data in the boxes may be changed, and the calculation will be done when you click outside the box, subject to the constraints described. Changing average velocity, acceleration or time will force a change in at least one of the original quantities. In this version, the final velocity is allowed to change.

Distance x = m Initial velocity v0 = m/s Final velocity v = m/s Average velocity = m/s Acceleration a = m/s^2 Time t = s

Motion Example

Initial velocity =m/s, Final velocity =m/s Distance traveled x = m

In this example, the items labeled on the diagram are considered primary: if one of them is changed, the others remain the same. The data in the boxes may be changed, and the calculation will be done when you click outside the box, subject to the constraints described. If the average velocity is directly changed, the final velocity is adjusted for consistency. If the acceleration or time is changed, then the distance is allowed to change.

Distance x = m Initial velocity v0 = m/s Final velocity v = m/s Average velocity = m/s Acceleration a = m/s^2 Time t = s

Linear Motion Explorer

These motion equations apply only in the case of constant acceleration. It is assumed that x=0 at t=0 and that the motion is being examined at time t. After you have edited any box of motion data, click on the text or symbol for the quantity you wish to calculate. If it does not behave the way you expect, see the comments on the calculation.

                     m     =         m/s         x s
        m/s = m/s +         m/s² x s
m = m/s x s + 1/2 m/s² * t²

Comments on Motion Explorer

In the example motion calculation, some assumptions are made about the calculation order. It is intended to be an exploration exercise, and may not conveniently solve all problems. The motion equations represent a complete set of equations for constant acceleration motion, but in certain types of problems, intermediate results must be calculated before proceeding to the final calculation. In the example calculation, you may have to do intermediate calculations, e.g., to establish the final velocity, in order to set up the problem you wish to solve, just as if you were working the problem with calculator and paper.

In the example calculation, the time, initial velocity, and displacement were considered given (primary) unless they were being calculated . For example,if x is being calculated, then v is assumed given, so it must be calculated first if you want to specify a. After making substitutions, not all values are updated, so to be sure a specific parameter has been updated, click on the text or symbol associated with that parameter.