Use this calculator to determine Distance, Speed, or Time for an object moving at a constant velocity. Enter any two values to calculate the third.
.linear-motion-calculator {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 8px;
max-width: 600px;
margin: 20px auto;
box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}
.linear-motion-calculator h2 {
color: #333;
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.linear-motion-calculator p {
color: #555;
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 25px;
line-height: 1.6;
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.linear-motion-calculator .form-group {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.linear-motion-calculator label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 5px;
color: #333;
font-weight: bold;
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.linear-motion-calculator input[type="number"] {
width: calc(100% – 22px);
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
box-sizing: border-box;
font-size: 16px;
}
.linear-motion-calculator button {
background-color: #007bff;
color: white;
padding: 10px 15px;
border: none;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
font-size: 16px;
margin-right: 10px;
transition: background-color 0.3s ease;
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.linear-motion-calculator button:hover {
background-color: #0056b3;
}
.linear-motion-calculator button:last-of-type {
background-color: #6c757d;
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.linear-motion-calculator button:last-of-type:hover {
background-color: #5a6268;
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.linear-motion-calculator .calculator-result {
margin-top: 25px;
padding: 15px;
background-color: #e9f7ef;
border: 1px solid #d4edda;
border-radius: 4px;
color: #155724;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
text-align: center;
min-height: 20px;
}
.linear-motion-calculator .calculator-result.error {
background-color: #f8d7da;
border-color: #f5c6cb;
color: #721c24;
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function calculateLinearMotion() {
var distanceInput = document.getElementById("inputDistance").value;
var speedInput = document.getElementById("inputSpeed").value;
var timeInput = document.getElementById("inputTime").value;
var distance = parseFloat(distanceInput);
var speed = parseFloat(speedInput);
var time = parseFloat(timeInput);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("linearResult");
resultDiv.className = "calculator-result"; // Reset class
var validInputs = 0;
if (!isNaN(distance) && distanceInput !== "") validInputs++;
if (!isNaN(speed) && speedInput !== "") validInputs++;
if (!isNaN(time) && timeInput !== "") validInputs++;
if (validInputs 2) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter exactly two values. Clear the third field to calculate.";
resultDiv.classList.add("error");
return;
}
var calculatedValue = NaN;
var unit = "";
var label = "";
if (isNaN(distance) && !isNaN(speed) && !isNaN(time)) {
// Calculate Distance
if (speed < 0 || time < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Speed and Time cannot be negative.";
resultDiv.classList.add("error");
return;
}
calculatedValue = speed * time;
unit = "meters";
label = "Distance";
} else if (isNaN(speed) && !isNaN(distance) && !isNaN(time)) {
// Calculate Speed
if (distance < 0 || time < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Distance and Time cannot be negative.";
resultDiv.classList.add("error");
return;
}
if (time === 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Time cannot be zero when calculating speed.";
resultDiv.classList.add("error");
return;
}
calculatedValue = distance / time;
unit = "m/s";
label = "Speed";
} else if (isNaN(time) && !isNaN(distance) && !isNaN(speed)) {
// Calculate Time
if (distance < 0 || speed < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Distance and Speed cannot be negative.";
resultDiv.classList.add("error");
return;
}
if (speed === 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Speed cannot be zero when calculating time (unless distance is also zero).";
resultDiv.classList.add("error");
return;
}
calculatedValue = distance / speed;
unit = "seconds";
label = "Time";
} else {
// This case should ideally be caught by validInputs check, but as a fallback
resultDiv.innerHTML = "An unexpected error occurred. Please check your inputs.";
resultDiv.classList.add("error");
return;
}
if (!isNaN(calculatedValue)) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = label + ": " + calculatedValue.toFixed(4) + " " + unit;
} else {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Could not calculate. Please check your inputs.";
resultDiv.classList.add("error");
}
}
function clearLinearMotion() {
document.getElementById("inputDistance").value = "";
document.getElementById("inputSpeed").value = "";
document.getElementById("inputTime").value = "";
document.getElementById("linearResult").innerHTML = "";
document.getElementById("linearResult").className = "calculator-result";
}
Understanding Linear Motion: Distance, Speed, and Time
Linear motion, also known as rectilinear motion, describes the movement of an object along a straight line. It's one of the most fundamental concepts in physics and forms the basis for understanding more complex movements. The relationship between distance, speed, and time is crucial for analyzing linear motion.
Key Concepts:
- Distance (s): This refers to the total path length covered by an object. It's a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude (e.g., 100 meters). In the context of linear motion, it's often interchangeable with displacement if the motion is in one direction without changing course.
- Speed (v): Speed is the rate at which an object covers distance. It's also a scalar quantity, indicating how fast an object is moving (e.g., 10 meters per second). Average speed is calculated as total distance divided by total time.
- Time (t): Time is the duration over which the motion occurs. It's a fundamental scalar quantity (e.g., 5 seconds).
The Fundamental Formula:
The relationship between these three quantities is expressed by a simple yet powerful formula:
Distance = Speed × Time
From this, we can derive the other two forms:
Speed = Distance / TimeTime = Distance / Speed
How to Use the Linear Motion Calculator:
This calculator simplifies the process of finding any one of these variables when the other two are known. Here's how to use it:
- Identify Your Knowns: Determine which two values (Distance, Speed, or Time) you already have.
- Enter Values: Input the known values into their respective fields in the calculator. Leave the field for the unknown value blank.
- Calculate: Click the "Calculate" button. The calculator will automatically determine the missing value based on the fundamental formulas.
- Review Result: The calculated value will be displayed with its appropriate unit (meters for distance, m/s for speed, seconds for time).
- Clear: Use the "Clear" button to reset all fields and perform a new calculation.
Practical Examples:
Let's look at some real-world applications:
Example 1: Calculating Distance
Imagine a car traveling at a constant speed of 25 m/s for 60 seconds. How far does it travel?
- Speed: 25 m/s
- Time: 60 seconds
- Distance: ?
Using the calculator: Enter 25 in "Speed" and 60 in "Time". The calculator will output: Distance: 1500.0000 meters.
Example 2: Calculating Speed
A runner covers a distance of 400 meters in 50 seconds. What is their average speed?
- Distance: 400 meters
- Time: 50 seconds
- Speed: ?
Using the calculator: Enter 400 in "Distance" and 50 in "Time". The calculator will output: Speed: 8.0000 m/s.
Example 3: Calculating Time
How long would it take a bicycle moving at 5 m/s to cover a distance of 1000 meters?
- Distance: 1000 meters
- Speed: 5 m/s
- Time: ?
Using the calculator: Enter 1000 in "Distance" and 5 in "Speed". The calculator will output: Time: 200.0000 seconds.
This linear motion calculator is a handy tool for students, educators, and anyone needing quick calculations involving distance, speed, and time in a straight line.