Acceleration Calculator

What Is Acceleration?

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. When an object speeds up, slows down, or changes direction, it is accelerating. In one-dimensional motion with constant acceleration, velocity changes linearly with time.

Acceleration Formula

$$a = \frac{v - u}{t}$$

where $a$ is acceleration (m/s²), $u$ is initial velocity (m/s), $v$ is final velocity (m/s), and $t$ is time (s). A car going from 0 to 10 m/s in 2 seconds has acceleration $a = (10 - 0) / 2 = 5$ m/s².

Rearranging the Equation

You can solve for any variable: $v = u + at$, $u = v - at$, and $t = (v - u) / a$. Negative acceleration (deceleration) means the object is slowing down in the positive direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the units of acceleration?

SI units are meters per second squared (m/s²). One m/s² means velocity increases by 1 m/s every second.

Can acceleration be negative?

Yes. Negative acceleration means velocity is decreasing in the positive direction, or the object is speeding up in the negative direction.

Does this formula work for changing acceleration?

No. This formula assumes constant acceleration over the time interval. For varying acceleration, use calculus or average acceleration.

How is this related to Newton's second law?

Newton's second law $F = ma$ links force and acceleration. This calculator finds kinematic acceleration from velocity change.

What is average acceleration?

Average acceleration is total velocity change divided by elapsed time: $a_{avg} = \Delta v / \Delta t$. It matches this formula for constant acceleration.

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Acceleration Calculator

What Is Acceleration?

Acceleration Formula

Rearranging the Equation

Frequently Asked Questions

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