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Acceleration Formula:
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Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time. According to Newton's second law of motion, acceleration is directly proportional to the net force acting on an object and inversely proportional to its mass.
The calculator uses Newton's second law formula:
Where:
Explanation: This fundamental physics equation describes how the motion of an object changes when forces are applied to it. The greater the net force or the smaller the mass, the greater the acceleration.
Details: Calculating acceleration is essential in physics, engineering, and various real-world applications including vehicle design, sports science, aerospace engineering, and understanding everyday motion phenomena.
Tips: Enter net force in newtons (N) and mass in kilograms (kg). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is the difference between acceleration and velocity?
A: Velocity is the rate of change of position, while acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Acceleration tells us how quickly velocity is changing.
Q2: Can acceleration be negative?
A: Yes, negative acceleration (deceleration) occurs when an object slows down. The direction of acceleration depends on the direction of the net force relative to the object's motion.
Q3: What units are used for acceleration?
A: The standard SI unit for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²). Other units include cm/s² and ft/s².
Q4: How does mass affect acceleration?
A: For the same net force, objects with greater mass experience less acceleration. This is why it's harder to accelerate heavier objects.
Q5: What are some real-world examples of acceleration?
A: A car speeding up, a ball falling under gravity, a rocket launching, and a person jumping are all examples of acceleration in everyday life.