Motion under constant acceleration (Uniform motion)

A pair of F-16C Fighting Falcons, assigned to the 27th Fighter Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Image courtesy U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Gruenwald

In uniform motion, an object has a constant velocity; that is a constant 'speed' in a straight line. (note, that speed may be positive (going forward), negative (going backward) or stationary).

Velocity and acceleration are 'vector' quantities; they have both a magnitude and a direction

Since velocity and acceleration are vectors, we can say that the velocity or the acceleration of an object has changed if either the magnitude or the direction changes

The definition of 'average velocity' and 'average acceleration' are used as the building blocks for our key 'classical physics motion equations'



Motion can be analysed using displacement/time (s/t) graphs, velocity/time (v/t) and acceleration/time graphs (a/t)

Of note, calculus was invented for use in analysing equations of motion

The constant acceleration due to gravity near the surface of the Earth is approximately g=9.80ms-2

Motion under a constant acceleration can be analysed using the following 3 equations



All physics calculations use SI units (metres (m), seconds (s), kilograms (kg)).

Lectures

Lecture - Motion under constant acceleration

Videos

Crash course, Motion in a straight line

Matt Anderson, Motion diagrams

The maths of physics - you need to watch this

Derivatives: Crash Course Physics #2

Integrals: Crash Course Physics #3



 

Home page / Stage 1 home page / Linear motion home page