Acceleration Calculator
This acceleration calculator estimates the rate of change in the velocity of an object. Our acceleration finder allows you to choose between different methods to determine acceleration. These methods are based on:
- Change in velocities at two separate moments in time
- Distance covered during the period of acceleration
- The mass of an object in motion and the force applied to it
What is Acceleration?
Acceleration is the rate at which an object's velocity changes per unit of time.
In other words, if the velocity increases, or decreases, or its direction changes, the object is accelerating.
- Symbol = a
- Quantity = Vector Quantity
- Dimension = L/T²
- SI Unit = m/s²
Acceleration Formula:
Acceleration can be calculated using various formulas depending on the available information.
Formula # 1:
✦ If initial velocity ′Vi′, final velocity ′Vf′, and time ′t′.
a = (Vf - Vi) Δt
Formula # 2:
✦ If Initial Velocity ‘V₀’, Displacement ‘d’, and time ‘t’.
a = 2(d - v₀t) t²
Formula # 3:
✦ If force ‘F’ and mass ‘m’
a = F m
According to Newton's second law, the acceleration is directly proportional to the sum of the forces acting on an object and is inverse of the mass of the object.
Practical Example:
A train is running with a uniform velocity that is v = 5 m.s-1 and covers a distance. After 20 seconds, it stops accelerating and sustains a uniform velocity that is v = 25 m.s-1. Find acceleration.
Solution:
Vi = 5m/s
Vf = 25m/s
Δt = 20s
Put these values in one of the acceleration equations which requires the provided values:
a = (Vf - Vi) Δt
a = (25 - 5) 20
a = 1 m.s-2
Keep in mind the changing of force brings changes in acceleration but the magnitude of the acceleration depends upon the mass of the object. The magnitude means how fast the object is accelerating.
Daily Life Examples of Acceleration:
- A car speeds up when the light turns green.
- The roller coaster gains speed as it goes down a steep hill.
- A cyclist pedals faster to overtake another cyclist.
- Ball thrown upward slowing down as it reaches its highest point.
- A spinning top changes its speed or direction as it slows down.
- Satellites change direction while orbiting Earth due to gravitational forces.
Terms Related To Acceleration:
Here we have provided an informational table that contains acceleration-related terms for a better understanding:
| Terms |
Explanation |
| Positive: |
When the final velocity of the body or object is higher than the initial velocity. |
| Negative: |
When the final velocity is lower than the initial velocity, the acceleration is negative. |
| Centripetal Acceleration: |
If an object is moving in a circle then the acceleration experienced by the object is known as centripetal acceleration. |
| Linear: |
When a body or object is moving in a straight line, covering a distance and the motion is in one direction. |
| Instantaneous Acceleration: |
Measuring the acceleration of a body at a specific instant of time. |
| Acceleration Due To Gravity: |
A body that is falling freely experiences acceleration due to gravity because of the gravitational force of the Earth. The value of gravitational force is: \(\ 9.8\ ms^{-2}\). |
| Angular Acceleration: |
It is the rate of change of the angular velocity of an object or body. Meanwhile, it informs about how fast an object spins. |
What are the Applications of Acceleration Calculator?
This acceleration calculator can be used in many practical fields and measures motion in real life.
Every Day Use:
- Driving & Transportation: This tool helps drivers to find how fast their vehicles accelerate from 0 to a certain speed.
- Fitness & Sports: You can measure the increasing speed of a cyclist or runner.
Physics and Mechanics:
- Kinematics Analysis: It helps in solving motion problems including uniform accelerated motions.
- Newton’s Laws of Motion: Used to calculate acceleration when force and mass are known (a = f/m).
Specialized Fields:
- Sports Equipment Testing: You can analyze the acceleration of bats, balls, and other sports gear.
- Rocket & Aircraft Performance: Calculates acceleration in different flight phases.
- Science Experiments: Our acceleration calculator is a useful for students doing physics experiments at home or in school.
FAQ’s:
What is the difference between velocity and acceleration?
Velocity means the change of displacement while acceleration is the change of velocity.
How do you find angular acceleration?
To calculate the angular acceleration use the following formula:
\(\ α =\dfrac{ω}{t}\)
Where
- ω indicates the angular velocity
- t is the time
How do you calculate average acceleration?
Follow these steps:
- Determine the change in velocity of an object when it’s in a state of motion and covering a distance
- Find the change in time
- Divide the change in velocity by the change in time
How you differentiate speed from acceleration?
✔️ Speed tells you how fast something is moving.
✔️ Acceleration tells you how quickly that speed is changing.
Can acceleration be negative?
Yes, it can be negative and is termed as deceleration. For instance, when the break of a car is applied, then it stops because of negative acceleration.
Is acceleration a vector?
Yes, because it has both direction and magnitude.
References:
"Simple definition of acceleration (physics) along with the properties – units" — Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"How to Calculate Acceleration (Methods)" — WikiHow - Co-authored by Sean Alexander, MS
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