Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Elapsed time is the total time that has passed from the beginning of an event to its end. It is usually represented by the symbol $\Delta t$ and is measured in seconds in the SI unit system.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Elapsed time can be calculated by subtracting the initial time ($t_i$) from the final time ($t_f$): $\Delta t = t_f - t_i$.
In kinematics, elapsed time is essential for determining velocity and acceleration.
Elapsed time is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude and no direction.
Accurate measurement of elapsed time is crucial for precise calculations in physics experiments and problem-solving.
In problems involving constant speed or velocity, distance traveled can be found using elapsed time with the formula $d = v \cdot \Delta t$.
The rate at which an object changes its position, defined as displacement divided by elapsed time. It is a vector quantity.
Speed: The rate at which an object covers distance, calculated as total distance divided by elapsed time. It is a scalar quantity.
Acceleration: $Acceleration = \frac{Change\ in\ velocity}{Elapsed\ Time}$; it represents how quickly an object's velocity changes over a period of time.