SUVAT - the calculator

How it works

SUVAT uses a bank of 24 equations derived from the original 5 ki

formulae. These equations are valid for motion in one dimension
constant acceleration according to Newtonian mechanics, but ca
combined and extended to describe motion in more dimensions.

SUVAT analyses the results of all 24 possible equations, and whe

possible answers could exist (ie, in the case of a solution to a qu
checks to see if one or other is ruled out by a different equation, a
shows both solutions. Where a contradiction is found in the answ
returns 'ERROR', as this implies there was a fundamental inconsi
original results**. (Note: It is possible for an inconsistency in the
to return ERROR if it doesn't cause inconsistencies in the results

*eg, at what time is a ball, thrown into the air, exactly 3m above th
two possible moments, both on the way up and on the way down
**eg, an object's speed increases while its acceleration remains a
***eg, where the average speed gives 0, but the distance is not.

Edit:
Units are taken into account by means of a multiplier to convert inputs to st
(metres and seconds), and, if required, reconvert into the required output u
calculator usually only shows outputs for unknown input values, by changin
output units you can have it convert a stated input value into new units, and
(in grey) in the output box.

SUVAT HelpSheet and Resolving HelpSheet:

Additional sheets included in this spreadsheet serve as revision aids for ba
SUVAT lists the formulae and when each may be used. Resolving summar
of finding perpendicular components of a force (or any vector quantity).

SUVAT HelpSheet and Resolving HelpSheet:

Additional sheets included in this spreadsheet serve as revision aids for ba
SUVAT lists the formulae and when each may be used. Resolving summar
of finding perpendicular components of a force (or any vector quantity).

ulator
s

om the original 5 kinematics

n in one dimension under
mechanics, but can be
more dimensions.

equations, and where two

f a solution to a quadratic*),
different equation, and if not
is found in the answers, SUVAT
undamental inconsistency in the
nconsistency in the input data not
ncies in the results***)

exactly 3m above the ground? At

d on the way down.
eleration remains at 0.
e distance is not.

to convert inputs to standard SI units

the required output units. While the
put values, by changing the input and
ue into new units, and it will show up

as revision aids for basic Mechanics.

d. Resolving summarises the concept
y vector quantity).

SUVAT - the calculator

Click to reset
values and units

Displacement

Initial Velocity

Final Velocity

m/s

m/s

m/s

m/s

To alter units, click

for more options.

User entry:
Units:
Calculated:
Units:

1) If input data is inconsistent, SUVAT usually returns 'ER

2) SUVAT will give answers correct to 3 decimal places.

3) The SUVAT equations are a mathematical model, and must be int

the original problem for the correct solution. If you ask a calculato
get a wrong answer.

e calculator
Acceleration

Time

m/s

m/s

Don't forget: these

are all vector
quantities - in one
dimension all this
means is that we
have a positive and
a negative
direction (indicated
by a plus or minus
sign, sensibly
enough). Don't
ignore direction!

VAT usually returns 'ERROR'.

t to 3 decimal places.

ical model, and must be interpreted within the context of

tion. If you ask a calculator the wrong question, you will

SUVAT - the calculator

Click to reset
values and units

Displacement

Initial Velocity

Final Velocity

m/s

m/s

m/s

m/s

To alter units, click

for more options.

User entry:
Units:
Calculated:
Units:

1) If input data is inconsistent, SUVAT usually returns 'ER

2) SUVAT will give answers correct to 3 decimal places.

3) The SUVAT equations are a mathematical model, and must be int

the original problem for the correct solution. If you ask a calculato
get a wrong answer.

e calculator
Acceleration

Time

m/s

m/s

Don't forget: these

are all vector
quantities - in one
dimension all this
means is that we
have a positive and
a negative
direction (indicated
by a plus or minus
sign, sensibly
enough). Don't
ignore direction!

VAT usually returns 'ERROR'.

t to 3 decimal places.

ical model, and must be interpreted within the context of

tion. If you ask a calculator the wrong question, you will

SUVAT - the calculator

Click to reset
values and units

Displacement

Initial Velocity

Final Velocity

m/s

m/s

m/s

m/s

To alter units, click

for more options.

User entry:
Units:
Calculated:
Units:

1) If input data is inconsistent, SUVAT usually returns 'ER

2) SUVAT will give answers correct to 3 decimal places.

3) The SUVAT equations are a mathematical model, and must be int

the original problem for the correct solution. If you ask a calculato
get a wrong answer.

e calculator
Acceleration

Time

m/s

m/s

Don't forget: these

are all vector
quantities - in one
dimension all this
means is that we
have a positive and
a negative
direction (indicated
by a plus or minus
sign, sensibly
enough). Don't
ignore direction!

VAT usually returns 'ERROR'.

t to 3 decimal places.

ical model, and must be interpreted within the context of

tion. If you ask a calculator the wrong question, you will

The SUVAT Equations

The SUVAT Equations

Also called the kinematic equations, these are used for describing motion where
acceleration is constant.

s
u
v
a
t

Displacement
Initial velocity
Final velocity
Acceleration
Time

Also called the kinematic equations, these are used for describing motion where
acceleration is constant.

m
ms-1
ms-1
ms-2
s

s
u
v
a
t

Displacement
Initial velocity
Final velocity
Acceleration
Time

m
ms-1
ms-1
ms-2
s

Displacement, velocity and acceleration are all vector quantities, meaning they
have both a magnitude and a direction. In one dimensional kinematics (assuming
all motion occurs in a straight line), all this means is that each quantity may be
either positive or negative - make sure you get them right, especially if, for instance,
acceleration is acting against the direction of motion (eg something being thrown
upwards).

Displacement, velocity and acceleration are all vector quantities, meaning they
have both a magnitude and a direction. In one dimensional kinematics (assuming
all motion occurs in a straight line), all this means is that each quantity may be
either positive or negative - make sure you get them right, especially if, for instance,
acceleration is acting against the direction of motion (eg something being thrown
upwards).

Equation

v = u + at
---------s = vt - at2
---------s = ut + at2
---------s = t(u + v)
---------v2 = u2 + 2as

Quantities involved
s

-----------------s

-----------------s

-----------------s

-----------------s

If you have at least 3 of the 5

quantities, and require one of the
remaining ones, find the equation that
involves all 4 of them, substitute in
values and rearrange for the answer.

Note:

If you have at least 3 of the 5

quantities, and require one of the
remaining ones, find the equation that
involves all 4 of them, substitute in
values and rearrange for the answer.

Note:

Equation

v = u + at
---------s = vt - at2
---------s = ut + at2
---------s = t(u + v)
---------v2 = u2 + 2as

Quantities involved
s

-----------------s

-----------------s

-----------------s

-----------------s

Resolving Forces

Resolving Forces

Any force can be resolved (broken down into) two

perpendicular components (usually horizontal and
vertical). The effect of the original force is equivalent to
the effect of these two resultant forces.

Any force can be resolved (broken down into) two

perpendicular components (usually horizontal and
vertical). The effect of the original force is equivalent to
the effect of these two resultant forces.

Eg.
F

Eg.
8

Fsin

8sin30
=4

Fsin

30o
8cos30
= 6.928

Fcos

Two forces acting in the same (or exactly opposite)

directions can be combined, and in the same way the
horizontal and vertical components of a number of
different forces may be combined.

8sin30
=4
30o
8cos30
= 6.928

Fcos

Two forces acting in the same (or exactly opposite)

directions can be combined, and in the same way the
horizontal and vertical components of a number of
different forces may be combined.

Fsin + Gsin - H

Fsin + Gsin - H

Gcos - Fcos

Gcos - Fcos

Eg.

3sin45 + 4sin30 - 5
= -0.878

Eg.

3sin45 + 4sin30 - 5
= -0.878

45o

45o

30o

30o
4cos30 - 3cos45
= -1.342

Note: the numbers are negative, which means the forces are
acting in the opposite direction to the arrows.
Once the horizontal and vertical component have been found, Pythagoras' theorem and right-angle
trigonometry can calculate the magnitude and direction of the complete resultant force.

4cos30 - 3cos45
= -1.342
Note: the numbers are negative, which means the forces are
acting in the opposite direction to the arrows.

Once the horizontal and vertical component have been found, Pythagoras' theorem and right-angle
trigonometry can calculate the magnitude and direction of the complete resultant force.