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Acceleration

is the rate of change of velocity. It is the amount that velocity changes per unit time.

If an object accelerates from an initial velocity (u) up to a final velocity (v) then the average acceleration of an object can be calculated using the equation:

\( acceleration = \frac{change \ in \ velocity}{time \ taken} \)

\( 伪 = \frac{v - u}{t} \)

This is when:

  • acceleration () is measured in metres per second squared (m/s2)
  • change in velocity (v - u) is measured in metres per second (m/s)
  • time taken (t) is measured in seconds (s)

If an object is slowing down, it is decelerating (and its acceleration has a negative value).

Learn more on acceleration in this podcast

Example

A car takes 8.0 s to accelerate from rest to 28 m/s. Calculate the average acceleration of the car.

final velocity, v = 28 m/s

initial velocity, u = 0 m/s (because it was at rest 鈥 not moving)

change in velocity, v - u = (28 - 0) = 28 m/s

\( 伪 = \frac{v - u}{t} \)

\( 伪 = 28 \div 8\)

\( 伪 = 3.5 \ m/s^{2}\)

Question

A car takes 25 s to accelerate from 20 m/s to 30 m/s. Calculate the acceleration of the car.

Typical accelerations

When people run, fall, cycle or travel in a car or a plane their speed will change. They may speed up, , or slow down, .

Some typical values for acceleration in metres per second (m/s2) include:

Method of travelTypical acceleration (m/s虏)
Running2
Family car1-7
Motorbike1-10
Rollercoaster30 - 60
Formula One car49
Method of travelRunning
Typical acceleration (m/s虏)2
Method of travelFamily car
Typical acceleration (m/s虏)1-7
Method of travelMotorbike
Typical acceleration (m/s虏)1-10
Method of travelRollercoaster
Typical acceleration (m/s虏)30 - 60
Method of travelFormula One car
Typical acceleration (m/s虏)49

The acceleration in freefall due to the Earth's gravity is 10 m/s2.

g = 10 m/s2