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Calculating Acceleration

Author: Nathan Lampson

 

Acceleration is the rate that a velocity is increasing over time.

Velocity can be descried as both the speed of an object and the direction it is traveling.

 

Acceleration represents an increase in speed while deceleration represents a decrease in speed.

 

Calculating Acceleration:

Acceleration = final speed (m/s) - initial speed (m/s) / time (s)

 

Example:

If a car starts at rest with a speed of 0 m/s and 10 seconds later is traveling at a rate of 100 m/s, what is the acceleration of the car?

 

Acceleration = final speed (m/s) - initial speed (m/s) / time (s)

Acceleration = 100m/s - 0m/s / 10s

Acceleration = 10 m/s2

Calculating Acceleration