SUVAT equations
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The SUVAT equations are five basic equations used to describe systems of motion. They are called SUVAT equations because each one of them relates S (displacement), U (initial velocity), V (final velocity), A (acceleration) and T (time).
[edit] The Variables
There are five variables used in the SUVAT equations. Each of the five equations uses all but one of these variables. The variables and their dimensions are given below.
- s Displacement. Units of m (meters, i.e distance).
- u Initial velocity. Units of ms − 1 (meters per second, i.e speed).
- v Final velocity. Units of ms − 1 (meters per second, i.e speed).
- a Acceleration. Units of ms − 2 (meters per second squared, i.e rate of change of speed).
- t Time. Units of s (seconds, i.e an amount of time).
Note that all variables besides time are vectors.
[edit] The Equations
The actual SUVAT equations themselves are listed below. It is always important to remember that these equations only work if acceleration is constant and no friction or drag force is assumed.
