--- title: "The Uniform Acceleration Equations" description: "Using v = u + at and v squared = u squared + 2as when acceleration is steady, including picking which one fits the quantities given. The graph work becomes algebra that answers questions no graph was " canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-uniform-acceleration-equations-mt_yJMJQ8_KqR source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-uniform-acceleration-equations-mt_yJMJQ8_KqR.md retrieved: 2026-09-12 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # The Uniform Acceleration Equations Using v = u + at and v squared = u squared + 2as when acceleration is steady, including picking which one fits the quantities given. The graph work becomes algebra that answers questions no graph was drawn for. Subject: Science · Area: Forces & Motion · Ages 14 to 16 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-uniform-acceleration-equations-mt_yJMJQ8_KqR ## Ready when they can - Lists the known and wanted quantities of a problem and picks the equation that links them - Rearranges each equation to make any one of its quantities the subject - Uses a negative acceleration for a braking or rising object and reads the sign of the answer correctly ## Lesson: Two equations for steady speeding When acceleration stays steady, use v equals u plus a t. Here u is the starting velocity, v is the final velocity, a is the acceleration and t is the time. Know three and find the fourth: to find time, write t equals v minus u over a. When time is missing but distance s is known, reach for v squared equals u squared plus 2 a s. It links starting speed, final speed, acceleration and distance with no t in sight. Working out a falling stone's speed from its drop is this kind of question. **Example.** Suppose a car goes from 0 to 20 metres per second in 10 seconds, speeding up steadily. Average acceleration is the speed change divided by the time: 20 minus 0 over 10 is 2 metres per second squared. That is v equals u plus a t rearranged to solve for a. **Tip.** List what you know and what you want before picking. If time is missing, use the second equation; if distance is missing, use the first. Keep signs honest: braking takes negative acceleration if forward is positive, and a ball thrown up has negative acceleration while still rising. **Recap.** List knowns, pick the equation that fits, and keep the signs honest. ## Practice 8 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Simple formulae](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/simple-formulae-mt_3qrCtdoVAU) - [Acceleration from Velocity-Time Graphs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/acceleration-from-velocity-time-graphs-mt_nmvfbSgnOn) ## Opens up - [Projectile Motion as Two Independent Motions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/projectile-motion-as-two-independent-motions-mt_OBgL97RFbb)