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please look at this equation


h4tt3n

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Hello,

 

A few times I've been stumbling across this equation on the net, but a quick search through my mechanics books didn't help much.

 

It states that for an object:

 

ds = v * dt + (a * dt^2) / 2

 

where ds is distance moved, dt is time, v is velocity, and a is acceleration.

I haven't been able to make any sense from it, and I haven't been able to make it work in an programs that I tested it in.

 

edit: I take it we all agree that ds = v * dt, and that's pretty much it? (given a constant velocity)

 

michael

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This equation gives you the position as a function of time assuming a constant acceleration. In the equation v is the initial velocity. If the acceleration is not zero then the velocity will not be constant. If the acceleration is zero (a=0) then the equation becomes that of an object moving at a constant velocity.

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