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All 12 Flashcards — The suvat equations
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Question
What does 'suvat' stand for?
Answer
The five constant-acceleration quantities: **s** displacement, **u** initial velocity, **v** final velocity, **a** acceleration, **t** time.
Question
When can you use the suvat equations?
Answer
Only when the **acceleration is constant** (a straight velocity–time line).
Question
List the four suvat equations.
Answer
v = u + at · s = ut + ½at² · v² = u² + 2as · s = ½(u + v)t — all four are **given** in the data booklet.
Question
How do you choose which suvat equation to use?
Answer
Write your **three knowns** + the unknown, then pick the equation that contains those four letters and **leaves out the fifth**.
Question
Which equation has no time t in it?
Answer
**v² = u² + 2as** — use it when the time is unknown (e.g. stopping distance).
Question
Which equation has no final velocity v?
Answer
**s = ut + ½at²** — use it to find displacement from time.
Question
Which equation has no acceleration a?
Answer
**s = ½(u + v)t** — displacement from the average of the two speeds.
Question
'Comes to rest' / 'stops' tells you which value?
Answer
The **final velocity v = 0**.
Question
A 'deceleration of 5 m s⁻²' — what's a?
Answer
**a = −5 m s⁻²** (negative, because the object is slowing down).
Question
'Starts from rest' tells you which value?
Answer
The **initial velocity u = 0** (it kills the ut term in s = ut + ½at²).
Question
A car brakes from 20 m s⁻¹ at −5 m s⁻². Stopping distance?
Answer
Use v² = u² + 2as: 0 = 400 − 10s → s = 40 m.
Question
Why must acceleration be constant for suvat?
Answer
The equations come from a **straight** v–t line; a changing acceleration curves the line, so they no longer hold.
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Topic 1.1 hub
Kinematics
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