To find the required acceleration for a plane to reach a velocity of 120 km/h on a 300-meter runway, the relevant equation is Xf = V0t + 1/2at^2. In this equation, Xf represents the final position (300 meters), V0 is the initial velocity (which is zero if starting from rest), and 'a' is the acceleration needed. The discussion highlights a need for clarification on the variables in the equation and how to apply them to solve the problem. Understanding these terms is crucial for calculating the acceleration correctly. The focus remains on applying the formula to determine the necessary acceleration for the plane.