Kinematic Equations

The set of Kinematic Equations typically includes three equations that relate position, velocity and acceledation and all three assume that acceleration is constant.

Two of the equations involve time can be derived using calculus. The third equation is independent of time and can be derived from work using the first two equations.

x_0 = x_0 + v_0t + \dfrac {1}{2}at^2

v = v_0 + at

We will show what appears to be a typical representation of the third equation:

v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2ad

It’s fair to ask from whence came that d:

d = x - x_0

We want to be explicit about that because often x_0 = 0 and this causes x=d. A web page may be so busy discussing other truths that they don’t mention this one.