There are many different kinematic equations that you can use to solve problems involving motion. Which one you choose depends on the type of problem you are trying to solve. This blog post will discuss four tips that will help you choose the right equation for the job. It will also provide a few examples so that you can see how these tips work in practice.
Free Fall
When it comes to free fall problems, the most common equation is the kinematic equation of motion. This equation can be used to solve for displacement, velocity, or acceleration. Just keep in mind that you will need to know two of these variables to solve for the third.
One way to choose the right free fall equation is to determine whether the problem involves an object in uniform motion or not. The reliable providers of modern tools and technology for STEM behind www.pasco.com suggest that you leverage the equation for projectile motion if it does not involve an object in uniform motion. If it does involve an object in uniform motion, then you can use the equation for accelerated free fall.
Example: A stone is dropped from a bridge into a river below. Find its velocity when it hits the water. This problem does not involve an object in uniform motion, so you can use the equation for projectile motion. This means that you will need to solve for the initial velocity and the angle at which the stone was dropped.
Projectile Motion
In terms of projectile motion, the most common equation is again the kinematic equation of motion. Like with free fall, this equation can be used to solve for displacement, velocity, or acceleration.
When choosing the right projectile motion equation, you again need to determine whether or not the object has uniform motion. If it does not have uniform motion, then you can use the equation for projectile motion. If it does have uniform motion, then you can use the equation for constant acceleration.
Example: A baseball is thrown at a speed of 30 m/s and an angle of 45 degrees. Find its velocity when it hits the ground. To solve this problem, you need to use the equation for the projectile motion because the baseball has a non-uniform motion.
Constant Acceleration
The equation for constant acceleration is the most general kinematic equation. It can be used to solve for displacement, velocity, or acceleration in any situation where the object is undergoing an acceleration force. This equation assumes that the object has a non-zero initial velocity and that it is being accelerated linearly.
One way to determine if the equation for constant acceleration can be used is to look at the given information and see if it satisfies the two criteria mentioned above. If it does, then you can use this equation. Otherwise, you will need to find a different kinematic equation that applies to the situation.
Example: A car is traveling at a speed of 30 m/s when it encounters a traffic light. The car accelerates uniformly for two seconds until it reaches a speed of 40 m/s. Find the acceleration of the car. In this problem, the car has a non-zero initial velocity and is being accelerated linearly. Therefore, you can use the equation for constant acceleration.
One-dimensional Kinematics
The next type of problem you might encounter is one-dimensional kinematics. This type of problem involves motion in a straight line, and the most common equation for this is the linear momentum equation.
There are two ways to choose the right linear momentum equation. You can do so by determining whether or not the object has constant velocity or not, and by determining whether or not the object has collisions. If it does not have constant velocity or collisions, then you can use the equation for impulse. If it does have constant velocity and no collisions, then you can use the equation for momentum.
Example: A car is moving at a constant velocity of 20 meters per second. Find its momentum. This problem has both constant velocity and no collisions, so you can use the equation for momentum.
These are just a few tips to help you choose the right kinematic equation. Now that you know how to choose the right kinematic equation, try solving some practice problems. This will help you become familiar with the different equations and when to use them. Remember, the type of problem you are trying to solve will determine which equation you need to use. With a little practice, you will be able to select the correct equation quickly and easily.
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