Do the SUVAT equations work for acceleration that changes with time?

It depends on how much it changes. For instance, if some object does undergo as good as makes no difference constant acceleration, then the SUVAT equations apply quite well to the circumstances at play. If there is a non-negligeable time dependency made of the acceleration by the phenomena at play, then the strength of the SUVAT equations is greatly reduced as they are derived from assuming that if an object is in motion, the acceleration of that object is uniform. When the acceleration is indisputably non-uniform then the results drawn from assuming the uniformity that isn't there will be greatly deviated from reality.

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A child is standing on a walkway that is moving at 2 metres per second and decides to turn around and walk back to the start at 2 metres per second. Explain why the child cannot reach the start of the walkway at this speed.


What are the similarities and differences between gravitational and electric fields?


A ball is thrown up with an initial velocity of 8 m/s and initial height of 1.5m above the ground. Calculate the maximum height the ball reaches and the time it takes to get there.


Why do skydivers have a terminal velocity?