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Understanding Acceleration
Velocity Change, Time, and Kinematics
Acceleration measures how quickly an object changes its velocity. Whether it's a sports car going from 0 to 60 or a skydiver in freefall, understanding acceleration is key to analyzing motion.
Calculate the average acceleration over a period of time.
Calculate how long it takes to reach a certain speed.
Key Concepts
Motion where acceleration is constant (like gravity). The velocity changes at a steady rate.
Acceleration in the opposite direction of motion, causing the object to slow down.
Motion at a constant velocity. Speed and direction remain unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is acceleration?
Acceleration is the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time. It tells you how quickly something is speeding up or slowing down.
What is the formula for acceleration?
The basic formula for average acceleration is a = (v - v₀) / t, where v is final velocity, v₀ is initial velocity, and t is time elapsed.
What does negative acceleration mean?
Negative acceleration often indicates 'deceleration' (slowing down) if the object is moving in a positive direction. It can also mean speeding up in the negative direction.
What is g-force?
One 'g' represents the acceleration due to gravity on Earth, which is approximately 9.8 m/s². It's often used to measure the force felt during rapid acceleration, like in roller coasters or rocket launches.
How do you find time from acceleration?
Rearranging the formula gives t = (v - v₀) / a. This tells you how long it takes to change velocity by a certain amount at a constant acceleration.
What is the slope of a velocity-time graph?
The slope (steepness) of a velocity-time graph represents the acceleration. A steeper slope means higher acceleration.
What is constant acceleration?
Constant (uniform) acceleration means the velocity changes by the same amount every second. Gravity is a common example of near-constant acceleration.
Can acceleration be zero?
Yes. If an object is moving at a constant velocity (not changing speed or direction), its acceleration is zero.
How to calculate final velocity?
Using the kinematic equation v = v₀ + at, you can calculate the final velocity if you know the starting speed, acceleration, and time.
What is the difference between speed and velocity?
Speed is just magnitude (how fast), while velocity includes direction. Acceleration specifically refers to changes in velocity, so changing direction (even at constant speed) is considered acceleration.