What is the Formula for Acceleration in Physics?

Thread starter josher1289
Start date Nov 19, 2006
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Acceleration Formula

In summary, the formula for acceleration is a = (vf - vi) / t, where a is acceleration, vf is final velocity, vi is initial velocity, and t is time. To calculate acceleration, you need to know the final velocity, initial velocity, and time and plug them into the formula. The units of acceleration are typically measured in meters per second squared (m/s^2) or feet per second squared (ft/s^2). Negative acceleration, also known as deceleration, occurs when an object is slowing down and is represented as a negative value in the formula. Acceleration is directly related to velocity, as an increase or decrease in acceleration also results in a change in velocity. This relationship is shown in the formula

Nov 19, 2006

josher1289

what is it?

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Nov 19, 2006

jtbell

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[tex]\vec a = \frac{d \vec v}{dt}[/tex]

Nov 19, 2006

z-component

Also, if the original poster is just starting out with physics and is not using calculus, I could provide a more basic equation:

[tex]a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}[/tex],

or simply the change in velocity over the change in time.

1. What is the formula for acceleration?

The formula for acceleration is a = (vf - vi) / t, where a is acceleration, vf is final velocity, vi is initial velocity, and t is time.

2. How do you calculate acceleration?

To calculate acceleration, you need to know the final velocity, initial velocity, and time. Then, plug these values into the formula a = (vf - vi) / t.

3. What are the units of acceleration?

The units of acceleration are typically measured in meters per second squared (m/s^2) in the metric system or feet per second squared (ft/s^2) in the imperial system.

4. Can you have negative acceleration?

Yes, negative acceleration (also known as deceleration) occurs when an object is slowing down. It is represented as a negative value in the formula a = (vf - vi) / t.

5. How is acceleration related to velocity?

Acceleration is directly related to velocity. As acceleration increases, velocity also increases, and as acceleration decreases, velocity also decreases. This is represented in the formula a = (vf - vi) / t, where vf and vi are both components of velocity.