Physics Formula Acceleration

Physics Formula for Acceleration

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. Understanding the concept of acceleration is essential in physics, as it applies to objects in motion.

Formula for Acceleration

The formula for calculating acceleration (a) is:

Formula: a = (v_f - v_i) / t

Where:

a = acceleration
v_f = final velocity
v_i = initial velocity
t = time taken for the change in velocity

Example Calculation

Let's say a car accelerates from an initial velocity of 10 m/s to a final velocity of 30 m/s over 5 seconds. Using the acceleration formula:

v_f = 30 m/s
v_i = 10 m/s
t = 5 seconds

Calculation:

a = (30 m/s - 10 m/s) / 5 s = 20 m/s / 5 s = 4 m/s²

Therefore, the acceleration of the car is 4 m/s².

Conclusion

Acceleration is a fundamental concept in physics that helps describe how quickly an object's velocity changes. This concept is widely applicable in analyzing the motion of vehicles, projectiles, and various objects.