Initial velocity: Vi = Vf - (a * t) Understand what each symbol stands for. Vi stands for “initial velocity” Vf stands for “final velocity” a stands for “acceleration” t stands for “time” Note that this equation is the standard equation used when finding initial velocity.
If you make a mistake, you can easily find it by looking back at all of your previous steps.
For example: An object accelerating east at 10 meters (32. 8 ft) per second squared traveled for 12 seconds reaching a final velocity of 200 meters (656. 2 ft) per second. Find the initial velocity of that object. Write the known information: Vi = ?, Vf = 200 m/s, a = 10 m/s2, t = 12 s Multiply the acceleration and time. a * t = 10 * 12 =120 Subtract the product from the final velocity. Vi = Vf – (a * t) = 200 – 120 = 80 Vi = 80 m/s east Write your answer correctly. Include a unit of measurement, usually meters per second or m/s, as well as a direction the object was traveling in. Without providing information about the direction, you only have a measurement of speed rather than velocity.
Initial velocity: Vi = (d / t) - [(a * t) / 2] Understand what each symbol stands for. Vi stands for “initial velocity” d stands for “distance” a stands for “acceleration” t stands for “time”
If you make a mistake, you can easily find it by looking back at all of your previous steps.
For example: An object accelerating west at 7 meters (23. 0 ft) per second squared traveled a distance of 150 meters (492. 1 ft) within 30 seconds. Calculate the initial velocity of that object. Write the known information: Vi = ?, d = 150 m, a = 7 m/s2, t = 30 s Multiply the acceleration and time. a * t = 7 * 30 = 210 Divide the product by two. (a * t) / 2 = 210 / 2 = 105 Divide the distance by the time. d / t = 150 / 30 = 5 Subtract your first quotient from the second quotient. Vi = (d / t) - [(a * t) / 2] = 5 – 105 = -100 Vi = -100 m/s west Write your answer correctly. Include a unit of measurement, usually meters per second or m/s, as well as a direction the object was traveling in. Without providing information about the direction, you only have a measurement of speed rather than velocity.
Initial velocity: Vi = √ [Vf2 - (2 * a * d)] Understand what each symbol stands for. Vi stands for “initial velocity” Vf stands for “final velocity” a stands for “acceleration” d stands for “distance”
If you make a mistake, you can easily find it by looking back at all of your previous steps.
For example: An object accelerating north at 5 meters (16. 4 ft) per second squared traveled 10 meters (32. 8 ft), ending up at a final velocity of 12 meters (39. 4 ft) per second. Calculate the object’s initial velocity. Write the known information: Vi = ?, Vf = 12 m/s, a = 5 m/s2, d = 10 m Square the final velocity. Vf2= 122 = 144 Multiply the acceleration by the distance and the number two. 2 * a * d = 2 * 5 * 10 = 100 Subtract this product from your previous one. Vf2 - (2 * a * d) = 144 – 100 = 44 Take the square root of your answer. = √ [Vf2 - (2 * a * d)] = √44 = 6. 633 Vi = 6. 633 m/s north Write your answer correctly. Include a unit of measurement, usually meters per second or m/s, as well as a direction the object was traveling in. Without providing information about the direction, you only have a measurement of speed rather than velocity.
Initial velocity: Vi = 2(d/t) - Vf Understand what each symbol stands for. Vi stands for “initial velocity” Vf stands for “final velocity” t stands for “time” d stands for “distance”
If you make a mistake, you can easily find it by looking back at all of your previous steps.
For example: An object with a final velocity of 3 meters (9. 8 ft) traveled south for 15 seconds and covered a distance of 45 meters (147. 6 ft). Calculate the object’s initial velocity. Write the known information: Vi = ?, Vf = 3 m/s, t = 15 s, d = 45 m Divide distance by time. (d/t) = (45/15) = 3 Multiply that value by 2. 2 (d/t) = 2 (45/15) = 6 Subtract final velocity from the product. 2(d/t) - Vf = 6 - 3 = 3 Vi = 3 m/s south Write your answer correctly. Include a unit of measurement, usually meters per second or m/s, as well as a direction the object was traveling in. Without providing information about the direction, you only have a measurement of speed rather than velocity.
