Acceleration Formula:
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Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. It measures how quickly an object's speed or direction changes over a specific time period.
The calculator uses the acceleration formula:
Where:
Explanation: This fundamental physics formula calculates how much an object's velocity changes per unit time, indicating how quickly it speeds up or slows down.
Details: Acceleration calculations are essential in physics, engineering, automotive design, sports science, and many real-world applications where motion analysis is required.
Tips: Enter change in velocity in meters per second (m/s) and change in time in seconds (s). Both values must be positive, with time greater than zero.
Q1: What is the difference between acceleration and velocity?
A: Velocity is the speed and direction of motion, 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, indicating a decrease in velocity over time.
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 different units?
A: While m/s² is standard, acceleration can also be expressed in cm/s², ft/s², or g-forces (where 1g = 9.8 m/s²).
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.