Author Question: How do you calculate average acceleration? (Read 3560 times)

dalyningkenk

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 598
I'm studying for my science test, and this is one of the things we have to know. Do you know what the formula is?



theo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 698
The simple answer is change in velocity divided by the change in time.

(delta)v/(delta)t

this is also defined as dv/dt or d^2 x/dt^2 (or the second derivative of position with respect to time) for a calculus definition.

so say you had a car moving 6m/s and in 10 seconds it accelerated to 26 m/s. the way to calculate average acceleration would be the change in velocity (final velocity minus initial velocity) divided by the time in which the change took place. (26m/s - 6m/s)/10s. this will give you (20m/s)/10s. which means the average acceleration was 2m/s/s or 2 m/s^2.

hope this helped.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question

theo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 698
a = (vf - vi)/t is the definition

vf is final speed
vi is initial speed
t is elapsed time

here are the 3 other kinematics equations rearranged, such that a is isolated:

a = (vf² - vi²)/2d

a = 2[d - (vi)(t)]/t²

a = 2[d + (vf)(t)]/t²



 

Did you know?

Cyanide works by making the human body unable to use oxygen.

Did you know?

People with alcoholism are at a much greater risk of malnutrition than are other people and usually exhibit low levels of most vitamins (especially folic acid). This is because alcohol often takes the place of 50% of their daily intake of calories, with little nutritional value contained in it.

Did you know?

Over time, chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections can progress to advanced liver disease, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Unlike other forms, more than 80% of hepatitis C infections become chronic and lead to liver disease. When combined with hepatitis B, hepatitis C now accounts for 75% percent of all cases of liver disease around the world. Liver failure caused by hepatitis C is now leading cause of liver transplants in the United States.

Did you know?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) in overdose can seriously damage the liver. It should never be taken by people who use alcohol heavily; it can result in severe liver damage and even a condition requiring a liver transplant.

Did you know?

The average person is easily confused by the terms pharmaceutics and pharmacology, thinking they are one and the same. Whereas pharmaceutics is the science of preparing and dispensing drugs (otherwise known as the science of pharmacy), pharmacology is the study of medications.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library