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Acceleration Formula:
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The acceleration formula calculates the rate of change of velocity of an object over time. It describes how quickly an object's speed and/or direction is changing. Acceleration is a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction.
The calculator uses the acceleration formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the average acceleration over a time interval by dividing the change in velocity by the time taken for that change.
Details: Acceleration is fundamental in physics and engineering for analyzing motion, designing vehicles and machinery, understanding forces, and solving kinematic problems in various applications from automotive engineering to space exploration.
Tips: Enter final velocity and initial velocity in meters per second (m/s), and time in seconds (s). Ensure time is greater than zero. Positive acceleration indicates speeding up, negative acceleration indicates slowing down (deceleration).
Q1: What is the difference between acceleration and velocity?
A: Velocity describes how fast an object is moving and in what direction, while acceleration describes how quickly the velocity is changing.
Q2: Can acceleration be negative?
A: Yes, negative acceleration (deceleration) occurs when an object is slowing down. The direction of acceleration is opposite to the direction of motion.
Q3: What are the SI units for acceleration?
A: The SI unit for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²), which represents the change in velocity (m/s) per second.
Q4: How does this formula relate to Newton's second law?
A: Newton's second law (F = ma) connects acceleration to force. This kinematic formula calculates acceleration from motion parameters without directly considering forces.
Q5: When is this formula not applicable?
A: This formula gives average acceleration. For instantaneous acceleration with non-uniform motion, calculus (derivatives) is required. It also assumes constant acceleration over the time interval.