KINEMATICS Rectilinear Motion.

DEFINITIONS

speed = rate of change of distance (scaler quantities)s = ^dl/_dt
velocity = rate of change of displacement (vector quantities) v = ^ds/_dt

Equations of motion under uniform acceleration.
v = u + at
s = ut + ¹/₂ a t²
v² = u² + 2 a s

v = final velocity, u = initial velcity, a =acceleration, t = time, s = displacement GRAPHS OF MOTION

Gradient at any point on a displacement - time graph equals the velocity.
Gradient at any point on a velocity - time graph equals the acceleration.
Area under a velocity - time graph equals the displacement.

MOTION UNDER GRAVITY

As gravity can be assumed to provide a constant acceleration close to the earths surface, the rules of motion for uniform acceleration can be applied, a being equal to g.

Rob Coles 06 April 1996 11:53:20