Author Question: How do you calculate average acceleration? (Read 3569 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?

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system destroys its own healthy tissues. When this occurs, white blood cells cannot distinguish between pathogens and normal cells.

Did you know?

On average, the stomach produces 2 L of hydrochloric acid per day.

Did you know?

In 1885, the Lloyd Manufacturing Company of Albany, New York, promoted and sold "Cocaine Toothache Drops" at 15 cents per bottle! In 1914, the Harrison Narcotic Act brought the sale and distribution of this drug under federal control.

Did you know?

Eating carrots will improve your eyesight. Carrots are high in vitamin A (retinol), which is essential for good vision. It can also be found in milk, cheese, egg yolks, and liver.

Did you know?

Of the estimated 2 million heroin users in the United States, 600,000–800,000 are considered hardcore addicts. Heroin addiction is considered to be one of the hardest addictions to recover from.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library