Final answer:
To determine final velocity in physics, use the equation v = v0 + at for cases with constant acceleration, and x = x0 + v0t + 1/2 at2 for displacement when starting from rest. Algebraic manipulation helps solve for the unknowns.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the final velocity in physics problems where the acceleration is not constant, specific equations can be utilized that account for the changing velocity over time. For situations where the acceleration is zero, a simple equation, v = v0 + at, is used, wherein v0 is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration, and t is the time. If we are given that the initial velocity is zero, the equation simplifies significantly.
For example, if a problem states that an object starts from rest (indicating that the initial velocity is zero), and it is subjected to a constant acceleration, we can use the formula x = x0 + v0t + 1/2 at2 to find the displacement. By substituting the known values into this equation and solving for the unknown final velocity or position, we can determine the desired quantity.
In another scenario, where you're given a problem involving known starting velocity, acceleration, and the total displacement, you would use the equation x = x0 + v0t + 1/2 at2 to solve for time t. After identifying the knowns, such as initial velocity v0, acceleration a, and displacement x, you can rearrange and simplify the equation to solve for the unknown time, using algebraic manipulation.