4.4.3—Constant acceleration

For constant acceleration, v=u+at, s=ut+½at², v²=u²+2as and s=½(u+v)t. Choose equations containing the known quantities.

State the positive direction and use signed displacement, velocity and acceleration consistently. If acceleration changes, split the motion or use a different method.

From rest with a=3 m s⁻² for 4 s, v=12 m s⁻¹ and s=24 m.

These equations are not valid for variable acceleration, and distance is not always equal to displacement.