Why is the SI unit for acceleration m/(s^2)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the SI unit for acceleration, specifically why it is expressed as meters per second squared (m/s²) rather than meters per second per second (m/s/s). Participants explore the implications of this notation and whether it leads to different interpretations or answers in calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the equivalence of meters per second squared and meters per second per second, suggesting that the notation might imply different meanings.
  • Others argue that meters per second per second is indeed equivalent to meters per second squared, noting that the seconds in the denominator can be simplified to yield the squared term.
  • A participant provides a mathematical breakdown, stating that acceleration can be expressed as \(\frac{\frac{m}{s}}{s} = \frac{m}{s} \cdot \frac{1}{s}\), reinforcing the equivalence to m/s².
  • Another participant expresses gratitude for the clarification, indicating that the explanation helped them understand the notation better.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is some disagreement regarding the interpretation of the units, with multiple views on whether the two expressions can lead to different answers. However, there is also a recognition among some participants that they are equivalent, leading to a mix of perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the implications of the notation on calculations, and there are assumptions about the understanding of unit conversion and simplification that remain unaddressed.

ffleming7
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Why is the SI unit for acceleration \frac{m}{s^2}(meters per second squared) when it is actually \frac{m}{\frac{s}{s}} (meters per second per second). Isn't the part concerning the seconds different? Wouldn't this give you different answers sometimes, or does that usually never get in the way.
 
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meters per second per second is the same thing as meters per second squared. If you want to do it division style, the seconds move to the denominator so you might as well write s*s as s^2.
 
ffleming7 said:
Why is the SI unit for acceleration \frac{m}{s^2}(meters per second squared) when it is actually \frac{m}{\frac{s}{s}} (meters per second per second). Isn't the part concerning the seconds different? Wouldn't this give you different answers sometimes, or does that usually never get in the way.
The way you've written it is not correct. It is \frac{\frac{m}{s}}{s} = \frac{m}{s}* \frac{1}{s}
 
Last edited:
Thank you. That makes a lot more sense now. So \frac{\frac{m}{s}}{s} = \frac{m}{s}* \frac{1}{s}=\frac{m}{s^2}.
 

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