Calculate initial and final velocity.
Velocity is a vector quantity that refers to the rate at which an object changes its position. It is defined as the displacement of an object per unit of time and has both magnitude and direction. Unlike speed, which is a scalar quantity representing how fast an object is moving regardless of direction, velocity also accounts for the direction of motion. This makes velocity a more comprehensive measure in physics, as it helps to describe both the speed and the direction of an object’s motion.
Initial velocity ( 𝑣 𝑖 ) is the velocity of an object at the start of a time interval. It is the speed and direction with which an object begins its motion. Initial velocity is crucial in equations of motion, especially when calculating acceleration, displacement, or final velocity over time. For example, if an object is dropped from a height, its initial velocity would be zero, but if it’s thrown downward, the initial velocity would be the speed at which it was thrown.
Final velocity ( 𝑣 𝑓 ) is the velocity of an object at the end of a time interval. It represents how fast an object is moving and in what direction after a certain period of time, considering any changes in velocity that may have occurred, such as acceleration or deceleration. Understanding the relationship between initial and final velocity is fundamental in solving problems related to motion, as it allows us to determine how forces and time intervals affect an object’s motion.