Acceleration in terms of disctance and time?

Question

If I am given a time and a distance, is there a way of calculating acceleration from just these two values?

I thought acceleration = 2 x (distance / (time)^2)

Any ideas?

Answer 1

Correct!

a=2 S / t^2

Answer 2

U: Initial velocity
V: final velocity
a : acceleration
s : distance traveled.
T: the time of travel.
These are the five quantities that have to be known in a given problem of bodies moving with constant acceleration.

The basic equations are

v = u + at. Or a = (v-u) /t----1
s = (u + v) /2 *t ---------------2.

These two equations are primary.

From these two equations, the following 3 equations can be formed

S = ut + ½ at^2. ----------------------3
S = vt – 1/2at^2. and-----------4
v^2 – u^2 = 2 a s ----------------5.



Note that in each equation one quantity is missing.

‘s’ is missing in equation 1.
‘a’ is missing in equation 2
‘v’ is missing in equation 3
‘u’ is missing in equation 4
‘t’ is missing in equation 5
1.
In any of these equation if three quantities are given the fourth one can be determined.

Once four quantities are known the fifth one can be determined using any four equations leaving the one which is not having that quantity.

Therefore, if distance and time are given ,one can find the average velocity alone. One cannot determine the acceleration.
To find acceleration, a third quantity is to be known in addition to distance and time


In the formula

acceleration = 2 x (distance / (time)^2), you are assuming that U = 0.

Answer 3

An old equation springs to mind!
S= Ut + 1/2at^2 where U = initial velocity (0 if starting from rest)
S = distance, t = time and a = acceleration.

Answer 4

Yes there is a way. But there is a roundabout way (i know of).
First, calculate the velocity from time and distance (Velocity = Distance / Time).

Then you can calculate the acceleration using the formula:
acceleration = Velocity/Time

Good Luck..

Answer 5

the equation for accelleration is starting speed -final speed all divided by time taken. all you need to do is to subsitute the number with the right place in the equation.

Answer 6

yep, that's correct.