Key Equations

Motion Along a Straight Line — AQA A-Level Physics

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Velocity
$$v = \frac{\Delta s}{\Delta t}$$
  • Where:
    • $v$ = velocity (m s⁻¹)
    • $Δs$ = change in displacement (m)
    • $Δt$ = change in time (s)
Average velocity if applied over a finite interval.
Acceleration
$$a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$$
  • Where:
    • $a$ = acceleration (m s⁻²)
    • $Δv$ = change in velocity (m s⁻¹)
    • $Δt$ = change in time (s)
Average acceleration if applied over a finite interval.
SUVAT: $v = u + at$
$$v = u + at$$
  • Where:
    • $v$ = final velocity (m s⁻¹)
    • $u$ = initial velocity (m s⁻¹)
    • $a$ = acceleration (m s⁻²)
    • $t$ = time (s)
No displacement required.
SUVAT: $s = ut + 0.5at^2$
$$s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2$$
  • Where:
    • $s$ = displacement (m)
    • $u$ = initial velocity (m s⁻¹)
    • $a$ = acceleration (m s⁻²)
    • $t$ = time (s)
No final velocity required.
SUVAT: $s = (v+u)t/2$
$$s = \frac{(v + u)}{2} t$$
  • Where:
    • $s$ = displacement (m)
    • $v$ = final velocity (m s⁻¹)
    • $u$ = initial velocity (m s⁻¹)
    • $t$ = time (s)
No acceleration required.
SUVAT: $v^2 = u^2 + 2as$
$$v^2 = u^2 + 2as$$
  • Where:
    • $v$ = final velocity (m s⁻¹)
    • $u$ = initial velocity (m s⁻¹)
    • $a$ = acceleration (m s⁻²)
    • $s$ = displacement (m)
No time required.
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