Acceleration Formula:
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Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time. It measures how quickly an object speeds up, slows down, or changes direction.
The calculator uses the acceleration formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the average acceleration over a given time period by dividing the change in velocity by the time taken.
Details: Acceleration calculations are fundamental in physics, engineering, and everyday applications like vehicle performance analysis, sports science, and motion planning.
Tips: Enter final velocity and initial velocity in meters per second (m/s), and time in seconds (s). Time must be greater than zero for valid calculation.
Q1: What is the difference between acceleration and velocity?
A: Velocity is the speed of an object in a given direction, while acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes over time.
Q2: Can acceleration be negative?
A: Yes, negative acceleration (deceleration) occurs when an object slows down or changes direction opposite to its motion.
Q3: What are typical acceleration values?
A: Earth's gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s². Car acceleration ranges from 2-8 m/s², while high-performance vehicles can exceed 10 m/s².
Q4: How is acceleration measured in real life?
A: Accelerometers in smartphones, vehicles, and scientific instruments measure acceleration by detecting force per unit mass.
Q5: What is instantaneous acceleration?
A: Instantaneous acceleration is the acceleration at a specific moment in time, calculated as the derivative of velocity with respect to time.