New notations for AP Physics

Remember that these formulas are ONLY GOOD for

objects under UNIFORM (Constant) ACCELERATION.

d  vi t  1
2 at 2

v f  vi  at
v f  vi  2ad
These are still good
2 2
equations, but
remember now we may
have problems with We are going to change the notation to
non-uniform more closely reflect a University Physics
acceleration so they are course for engineering students, but the
not our only option. equations are the same!
Many textbooks use the letter “s” to represent
displacement instead of “d” as we did in Physics 1.
Others prefer to use letters that more accurately
represent the position along an axis displacement such
as “x”, “y” or “z”. We will be using these now…at least
most of the time.
Remember that displacement is a change in position.
So now… d x  x  x0
Where x, y, z are the final
d y  y  y0 positions along those axes,
and x0, y0, z0 are the initial

d z  z  z0
positions along those axes.
For final velocity, we will just use “v”.
Remember this is instantaneous velocity at any
given time “t”, so…
v f  v
For initial velocity, we will use “v0”. The “0”
subscript refers to time “t=0” which would be
the initial value.

vi  vO
 Acceleration must be constant for these equations to
valid.

 Good news!! We will not change the notation for

acceleration…we get to keep “a”!

a  a
 Time is time! We will not change time. We get to
keep the good ole “t” for time.

 Time is the interval over which the motion of interest

takes place.

t t
 horizontal or “x” – direction vertical or “y” – direction

x  x0  v0 xt  1 2 axt 2 y  y0  v0 yt  2 gt 1 2

vx  v0 x  axt v y  v0 y  gt
vx  v0 x  2ax ( x  x0 ) v y  v0 y  2 g ( y  y0 )
2 2 2 2

Remember that for projectiles, the horizontal and vertical motions must be
separated and analyzed independently. Remember that “ax” is zero and “ay” is
acceleration due to gravity “g”.
CAUTION: The equations in this form assume “up” is “positive” and “down” is
“negative”.
Almost every projectile problem can be solved by starting with the
displacement equation to solve for time. In this case…

vo
θ

y  y0  v0 sin  t  1
2 gt  0
2

Since “y” and “y0” are both the same, vertical displacement y-y0 = 0.
Now solve for time, this will be the time for the entire flight.
Remember , if you want to find maximum height you will only use half
the time. If you want to find range, use the total time.
 vo y
θ
x

y  0  v0 sin  t  1
2 gt  y
2

Vertical displacement y-y0 = y.

Now solve for time, this will be the time for the entire flight. Then you can
use that time to find the horizontal distance at which it was at that height.

x  0  v0 cos  t  x
 Vertical displacement is “-y”
vo Now solve for time, this will
θ be the time for the entire
flight. Then you can use that
time to find the horizontal
-y distance at which it was at
that height.

 y  0  v0 sin  t  1 2 gt 2   y

x  0  v0 cos  t  x