Constant acceleration (SUVAT) · Grade 12

In Grade 12 you learn: constant acceleration (SUVAT).

When acceleration is constant, five quantities describe straight-line motion: displacement s, initial velocity u, final velocity v, acceleration a and time t. Five equations link them. Each one leaves out one quantity, so pick the one that fits what you know.

Key facts

• v = u + at
• s = ut + 1/2at^2, and s = vt − 1/2at^2
• s = ((u + v)/2)t
• v^2 = u^2 + 2as
• Choose a positive direction. Anything in the other direction is negative. In free fall, a = −9.8 m/s² if up is positive.