Author Question: How do you calculate average acceleration? (Read 3565 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?

Pope Sylvester II tried to introduce Arabic numbers into Europe between the years 999 and 1003, but their use did not catch on for a few more centuries, and Roman numerals continued to be the primary number system.

Did you know?

Amoebae are the simplest type of protozoans, and are characterized by a feeding and dividing trophozoite stage that moves by temporary extensions called pseudopodia or false feet.

Did you know?

More than one-third of adult Americans are obese. Diseases that kill the largest number of people annually, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and hypertension, can be attributed to diet.

Did you know?

Though newer “smart” infusion pumps are increasingly becoming more sophisticated, they cannot prevent all programming and administration errors. Health care professionals that use smart infusion pumps must still practice the rights of medication administration and have other professionals double-check all high-risk infusions.

Did you know?

Long-term mental and physical effects from substance abuse include: paranoia, psychosis, immune deficiencies, and organ damage.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library