1. What is the Distance Equation?

The distance equation calculates the displacement of an object under constant acceleration. It's a fundamental equation in kinematics that describes motion in a straight line with constant acceleration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the distance equation:

Where:

• \( v_i \) — Initial velocity (m/s)
• \( a \) — Constant acceleration (m/s²)
• \( t \) — Time (seconds)

Explanation: This equation calculates the total distance traveled by an object under constant acceleration, accounting for both its initial velocity and the acceleration over time.

3. Importance of Distance Calculation

Details: This calculation is essential in physics, engineering, and various real-world applications such as vehicle braking distance, projectile motion, and motion planning in robotics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter initial velocity in m/s, acceleration in m/s², and time in seconds. Time must be a non-negative value. All values can be positive, negative, or zero depending on the direction of motion.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does negative acceleration mean?
A: Negative acceleration (deceleration) means the object is slowing down. The distance calculation will account for this reduction in speed.

Q2: Can initial velocity be negative?
A: Yes, negative initial velocity indicates motion in the opposite direction of the reference frame.

Q3: What if acceleration is zero?
A: With zero acceleration, the equation simplifies to Distance = v_i × t, representing uniform motion.

Q4: Does this equation work for variable acceleration?
A: No, this equation assumes constant acceleration. For variable acceleration, integration methods are required.

Q5: What are typical units for this calculation?
A: While we use meters and seconds in this calculator, the equation works with any consistent unit system (e.g., feet and seconds).