Kinematics Calculator — Motion in 1D and 2D

Compute displacement, velocity, acceleration and time using SUVAT equations with step-by-step working.

About this calculator

A kinematics calculator solves equations of motion under constant acceleration — finding the unknown quantity given any three of position, velocity, acceleration, and time. These five equations (often called the SUVAT equations in the UK) describe everything from a ball in free fall to a car braking on a road.

Kinematics does not consider what causes motion (forces, mass) — that is dynamics. Kinematics only describes the motion itself. Yet it covers the vast majority of introductory physics problems.

Formula

v = u + at \;;\; s = ut + \tfrac{1}{2}at^2 \;;\; v^2 = u^2 + 2as

  • u — Initial velocity
  • v — Final velocity
  • a — Acceleration
  • s — Displacement
  • t — Time

Worked example

Inputs: Car accelerates from 20 m/s at 3 m/s² for 5 s

  1. v = u + at = 20 + 3 × 5 = 35 m/s
  2. s = ut + ½at² = 20 × 5 + ½ × 3 × 25 = 137.5 m
  3. Average velocity = (u + v)/2 = 27.5 m/s
  4. Distance covered in 5 seconds = 137.5 metres

Frequently asked questions

When does kinematics not apply?

The SUVAT equations require constant acceleration. They do not apply when acceleration varies with time (e.g. variable thrust rocket), with position (e.g. simple harmonic motion), or with velocity (e.g. air drag at high speeds). For varying acceleration, use calculus: v(t) = ∫a(t)dt.

What is the difference between distance and displacement?

Distance is a scalar — the total path length travelled, always positive. Displacement is a vector — the straight-line change in position from start to end, with direction. A ball thrown straight up and returning to your hand has positive distance (twice the peak height) but zero displacement (net position unchanged).

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