Acceleration Formula:
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Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time. It is a vector quantity that measures how quickly an object speeds up, slows down, or changes direction.
The calculator uses the acceleration formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates how much an object's velocity changes per unit time. Positive acceleration indicates speeding up, while negative acceleration (deceleration) indicates slowing down.
Details: Acceleration calculations are fundamental in physics, engineering, and transportation. They help in designing vehicles, analyzing motion, understanding forces, and solving real-world problems involving changing velocities.
Tips: Enter all three values in appropriate units (m/s for velocities, seconds for time). Time must be greater than zero. The calculator will compute acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q1: What is the difference between acceleration and velocity?
A: Velocity measures how fast an object is moving and in what direction, while acceleration measures how quickly velocity is changing.
Q2: Can acceleration be negative?
A: Yes, negative acceleration (deceleration) occurs when an object is slowing down or changing direction opposite to its motion.
Q3: What is constant acceleration?
A: Constant acceleration occurs when velocity changes at a steady rate over time, such as in free-fall motion under gravity.
Q4: How is acceleration related to force?
A: According to Newton's second law, force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma), showing the direct relationship between force and acceleration.
Q5: What are typical acceleration values in everyday life?
A: Car acceleration: 2-3 m/s², Free-fall gravity: 9.8 m/s², High-performance sports car: up to 10 m/s², Space shuttle launch: up to 29 m/s².