Practice

SUVAT Formulas – Kinematics Practice

s = ut + ½at² — Constant-acceleration displacement (SUVAT)

For constant acceleration, displacement is s = ut + ½at². Also use v = u + at and v² = u² + 2as. From rest, u = 0 so s = ½at².

Guide — how to use this formula

1. 1. List knowns: s, u, v, a, t — pick the equation missing the unknown you don’t need.
2. 2. From rest: u = 0 → s = ½at² and v = at.
3. 3. Stopping: v = 0 in v² = u² + 2as.
4. 4. Don’t use s = at from rest — that ignores the ½.

Derivation

Average velocity under constant a is (u + v)/2, and v = u + at:

1. Displacement:
   s = ut + \tfrac{1}{2}at^{2}
2. Without time:
   v^{2} = u^{2} + 2as

Keep the sign of a for braking. Convert km/h → m/s before substituting.

Examples

Example: rest, a = 4, t = 3 s

s = ½×4×9 = 18 m.

Example: v² form

u = 0, a = 5, s = 10 → v = √100 = 10 m/s.

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