How Do You Find the Final Velocity?
Find the final velocity with these two equations: v = u + at and v2 – u2 = 2as. Equation one relates to time taken t, while equation two relates to distance covered S. With the first equation, add initial velocity to the value of acceleration x time.
- Obtain the value of initial velocity
Assume the body in motion began with an initial velocity of u and had an increase in velocity or change in velocity. After some time t, the object moves with another velocity which is the final velocity.
- Determine the change in velocity
Assume that a body in motion begins with an initial velocity u and with a constant acceleration a. After a time t, the change in velocity is obtained as acceleration × time or a × t which is merely written as "at".
- Calculate the final velocity
Calculate the final velocity; bearing in mind that the body began motion with an initial velocity of u. Thus, the value of u with which the body started motion is added to the increase in velocity obtained to get the correct value of final velocity v. The final velocity is, therefore, calculated as v = u + at, where v = final velocity, u = initial velocity, a = acceleration achieved by the object and t = time taken.
