Acceleration Formula

Acceleration Formula – One would have thought that shoving a dying bus would give it a sudden start. The reason for this is that when a lift first begins, it pushes upward. Here, acceleration occurs due to a change in velocity. The frame then picks up speed. The rate at which an object’s velocity changes is referred to as “acceleration.”

According to Newton’s second law, a body’s Acceleration Formula is the end result of all the forces that have been applied to it. The frequency at which a body’s velocity changes is referred to as Acceleration Formula, which is a vector quantity. The rate at which velocity changes as time changes is known as acceleration. It is represented by the symbol “a” and expressed by the Acceleration Formula. Acceleration is measured in metres per second squared in S.I. If v (final velocity), u (starting velocity), and t (time taken) are given, then the Acceleration Formula provides the acceleration.

Acceleration Formula

In daily life, one must have come across the phrase Acceleration Formula. If considered generally, acceleration is defined as the gradual increase in speed of an item. In other terms, it means that if one is driving at 60 kilometres per hour and the speed of the car increases to 65 kilometres per hour after one minute, then they are accelerating. The challenge of how to describe this object’s acceleration arises. In general, acceleration is the act of speeding up. From a physics standpoint, one can see that it actually signifies something else. Here, it is always referred to as the speed at which an object’s velocity varies. The shift is what matters, not whether it is speeding up or slowing down. As a result, when an object is speeding up, the Acceleration Formula is positive, and when it is speeding down, it is negative. Newton’s Second Law states that this occurs as a result of the object’s net imbalanced force. As a result, it is possible to define Acceleration Formula as a vector quantity. It accomplishes this by varying the time-rate of change of the velocity.

Acceleration Formula Definition

For acceleration, there are two Acceleration Formula. The first Acceleration Formula links force, mass, and acceleration according to Newton’s second law. There is also another Acceleration Formula designed to determine the rate of change in velocity over time. Acceleration is defined in mechanics as the rate of change of an object’s velocity with respect to time. Velocity and acceleration are vector quantities (in that they have magnitude and direction). The direction of the net force acting on an object determines the direction of its Acceleration Formula.

According to Newton’s Second Law, the amount of an object’s acceleration is the combined result of two causes. First, the size of the net resultant force is directly proportional to the net balance of all external forces acting on that object. Then, depending on the materials used to create it, an object’s mass is inversely related to its magnitude. For instance, a vehicle accelerates in the direction of motion when it moves from a standstill (zero velocity, in an inertial frame of reference) to a straight line at increasing speeds. When a vehicle turns, its velocity vector is altered by an acceleration in the new direction. The acceleration of the car in its present direction of motion is referred to as a “linear acceleration” (or “tangential acceleration” in circular motions), and the passengers on board feel a force pressing them back into their seats as a result. The acceleration used to change direction is known as radial acceleration (or centripetal acceleration in circular travel), and the reaction experienced by the passengers is known as centrifugal force. Passengers feel the reaction to deceleration as an inertial force pushing them forward. If the speed of the vehicle decreases, this is an acceleration in the opposite direction and numerically negative, also known as deceleration or retardation. Retrorocket firing in spacecraft is frequently used to produce such negative accelerations. 

Formula For Acceleration

Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity. Acceleration Formula is given as-

$$a = \frac{v – u}{t}$$

Where

  • a = Acceleration (m/s2).
  • vf =Final Velocity (m/s).
  • vi = Initial Velocity (m/s).
  • t = Time Interval (s).

According to the three newtons equations of motion, Acceleration Formula is expressed as follows:

$$v = u + at$$
$$v^{2} = u^{2} + 2as$$
$$s = ut + \frac{1}{2} \times a \times t^2$$

Where

  • u= Initial Velocity
  • v= Final Velocity
  • t= Time Taken
  • a= Acceleration
  • s= Distance/Displacement

Solved Examples on Acccerelation Formula

To assist you understand the concept of the Acceleration Formula, consider the following instances.

Example 1: Find the acceleration if a toy train accelerates from 6 m/s to 8 m/s in 2 s. 

Solution: Given that

  • Initial Velocity u = 6 m/s
  • Final Velocity v = 8 m/s
  • Time Taken t = 2 s

Using the Acceleration Formula,

\(a = \frac{v – u}{t}\)

a = (8 – 6)/2

a = 2/2

a = 1 m/s2

Thus, the acceleration of the toy train is 1 m/s2.

Example 2: A truck starts from rest and achieves a speed of 90 km/h in 10 seconds. Find its acceleration.

Solution: It is given that,

    • u = 0
    • v = 90 km/h = 25 m/s
  • t = 10s

Using the Acceleration Formula,

\(a = \frac{v – u}{t}\)

a = (30 – 0)/10
a = 3 m/s2.

Thus, the acceleration of the truck is 3 m/s2.

Solved examples of the Acceleration Formula are available on the Extramarks website as well as the mobile application.

Physics Related Formulas
Acceleration Formula Rotational Kinetic Energy Formula
Power Formula Wave Speed Formula
Velocity Formula Voltage Divider Formula
Average Speed Formula Static Friction Formula
Momentum Formula Average Force Formula
Pressure Formula Banking Of Road Formula
Torque Formula Deceleration Formula
Displacement Formula Drag Force Formula
Kinetic Energy Formula Elastic Collision Formula
Potential Energy Formula Electrical Resistance Formula

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What are the 3 formulas for acceleration?

According to the three newtons equations of motion, Acceleration Formula is expressed as follows:

$$v = u + at$$

$$v^{2} = u^{2}+ 2as$$

$$s = ut + \frac{1}{2} \times a\times t$$

2. What is the acceleration unit?

The unit of acceleration is the metre per second per second (m/s2).

3. Is acceleration a vector quantitty?

Yes, Acceleration is a vector quantity.