Subtract u from both sides of the equation: v − u = a t .
Divide both sides by a : t = a v − u .
The solution for t is: t = a v − u .
Explanation
Understanding the Equation We are given the equation v = u + a t , where v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration, and t is the time. Our goal is to isolate t on one side of the equation.
Isolating the term with t First, we subtract u from both sides of the equation to get:
v − u = u + a t − u
v − u = a t
Solving for t Next, to solve for t , we divide both sides of the equation by a , assuming a e q 0 :
a v − u = a a t
a v − u = t
Final Answer Therefore, the solution for t is:
t = a v − u
Examples
In physics, this formula is fundamental for calculating the time it takes for an object to reach a certain velocity under constant acceleration. For example, if a car accelerates from an initial velocity of 10 m/s to a final velocity of 25 m/s with an acceleration of 3 m/s², we can use this formula to find the time it takes to reach that final velocity. Plugging in the values, we get t = 3 25 − 10 = 5 seconds. This concept is crucial in understanding motion and is applied in various fields like engineering, sports science, and aerospace.
To find t in the equation v = u + a t , subtract u from both sides to get v − u = a t , and then divide by a . Thus, the formula for time is t = a v − u .
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