Motion Along a Straight Line [Link]
2.5 CONSTANT-ACCELERATION EQUATIONS
USING INTEGRATION
The first two of our constant-acceleration equations are the basic equations, from which the others can be
derived:
(2.4.1)
(2.4.2)
Those two equations can be obtained by integration of the acceleration with the condition that a is constant. If
you have been introduced to integration, then read this neat way of finding those equations.
To find the first equation
We start with the definition of acceleration
()
So,
()
We next write the indefinite integral (or antiderivative) of both sides:
(2.5.1)
but because a is a constant, it can be taken outside the integration. The integrations
(2.5.2)
then give us
(2.5.3)
where C is a constant of integration that is set here by the physical situation: At t = 0, the velocity is the initial
value v0. Thus, at t = 0, we have
1 of 3 1/21/2019, 11:23 PM
Motion Along a Straight Line [Link]
(2.5.4)
which means that C = v0. So, our integration result is Eq. 2.4.1:
()
To find the second equation
We start with the definition of velocity,
()
So,
()
We next write the indefinite integral of both sides:
(2.5.5)
Substituting our previous result, we have
(2.5.6)
The right side can be split into two integrations and, because v0 and a are constants, we can write
(2.5.7)
Integrating brings us to
(2.5.8)
where C ′ is another constant of integration. It too is set by physical conditions because at t = 0, x = x0.
Substituting these two values into our result tells us that C ′ = x0. Knowing that brings us to the second of the
constant-acceleration equations:
2 of 3 1/21/2019, 11:23 PM
Motion Along a Straight Line [Link]
()
We are done.
Learning Objectives
After reading this module, you should be able to …
2.5.1Calculate a particle's change in velocity by integrating its acceleration function with respect to time.
2.5.2Calculate a particle's change in position by integrating its velocity function with respect to time.
Key Idea
Here is the Key Idea in this module.
•We can derive the constant-acceleration equations by integrating the constant acceleration with respect to
time.
Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
3 of 3 1/21/2019, 11:23 PM
