1. What is the Distance Traveled Formula?

The distance traveled formula calculates the displacement of an object under constant acceleration. It is derived from the equations of motion and is fundamental in classical mechanics for analyzing object movement.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the distance traveled formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula accounts for both the distance covered due to initial velocity and the additional distance due to constant acceleration over time.

3. Importance of Distance Calculation

Details: Accurate distance calculation is crucial for physics problems, engineering applications, motion analysis, and understanding kinematics in various scientific fields.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter initial velocity in m/s, time in seconds, and acceleration in m/s². Time must be positive. All values can be positive or negative depending on direction.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if acceleration is zero?
A: If acceleration is zero, the formula simplifies to s = v_i × t, representing uniform motion.

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

Q3: What are typical units for this calculation?
A: Standard SI units are meters for distance, m/s for velocity, seconds for time, and m/s² for acceleration.

Q4: Does this work for deceleration?
A: Yes, deceleration is simply negative acceleration in this context.

Q5: When is this formula not applicable?
A: This formula only applies when acceleration is constant. For variable acceleration, calculus-based methods are required.