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THE SUVAT EQUATIONS AND THEIR DERIVATION

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The full set of SUVAT equations that you should

Variable Description SI unit
commit to memory are:
S displacement m (metres)

1. V = U + AT m/s (metres per

U initial velocity
second)
2.
U +V
S = ( )T
2

3. 2 2 m/s (metres per

V = U + 2AS V nal velocity
second)
4.
1 2
S = UT + AT
2

9.8 m/s/s (metres

5. S = VT −
1
AT
2

2
A acceleration per second per
second)
What else do I need to memorise for AS
Mechanics T total time s (seconds)

(https://studywell.com/maths/mechanics/)?
The SUVAT equations describe motion in a given
Go to Applied Practice Papers (Statistics & direction when ACCELERATION IS CONSTANT.
Mechanics) (https://studywell.com/practice-
papers/)

Derivation of the SUVAT Equations

In general, for motion in a straight line with constant acceleration:
 change in velocity V −U
acceleration = or A =
change in time T

where V is the nal velocity, U is the initial velocity and T is the total time taken. Rearranging gives the
equation in an alternative form:

 V = U + AT

This equation is one of the SUVAT equations. They are named so since they involve displacement (S),
initial velocity (U), nal velocity (V), acceleration (A) and time (T) for motion in a straight line with constant
acceleration. Note that in order to use the SUVAT equations, we must de ne a reference point with
regards to the displacement. We must also specify the direction of positive and negative speed. Speed
cannot be negative but acceleration can. If an object is slowing down rather than speeding up,
acceleration is negative. 

The second SUVAT equation S =

1

2
(U + V )T comes from the fact that acceleration is constant. In this
case, is the average speed throughout the duration of travel. Multiplying this by T will give the
1
(U + V )
2

total distance. This is because distance is speed multiplied by time when acceleration is constant.

The rst two SUVAT equations can be used to derive the remaining SUVAT equations.

SUVAT EQUATION 3 – SUVAT equation 1 can be rearranged to make T the subject so that T
V −U
=
A

which can be substituted into equation 2:

and rearranged gives V 2
U +V V −U 2
S = ( )( ) = U + 2AS
2 A

SUVAT EQUATION 4 – substitute the expression for V in SUVAT equation 1 directly into SUVAT
equation 2: S
U +U +AT 1 2
= ( )T = … = U T + AT
2 2

SUVAT EQUATION 5 – SUVAT equation 1 can be rearranged to make U the subject so that
U = V − AT . Substitute this into equation 4 to give
1 2 1 2
S = (V − AT )T + AT = … = VT − AT
2 2

See the Examples for use of the SUVAT equations and an example derivation question.  When attempting
examples for yourself, make sure that the dimensions are consistent. In other words, you should ensure
that you are using the same SI unit for all measurements. Accordingly, this may require a
conversion. See Motion under Gravity (https://studywell.com/as-maths/forces-newtons-laws-
motion/motion-under-gravity/) for more examples using the SUVAT equations.

Examples
 EXAMPLE 1 ()

 EXAMPLE 2 ()
 EXAMPLE 2 ()

 EXAMPLE 3 ()

 EXAMPLE 4 ()

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