Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity over time. Here's how to calculate it:

Formula:

* a = (v_f - v_i) / t

Where:

* a = acceleration (measured in meters per second squared (m/s²) or feet per second squared (ft/s²))

* v_f = final velocity (measured in meters per second (m/s) or feet per second (ft/s))

* v_i = initial velocity (measured in meters per second (m/s) or feet per second (ft/s))

* t = time (measured in seconds (s))

Explanation:

* Final velocity (v_f): This is the velocity of the object at the end of the time interval.

* Initial velocity (v_i): This is the velocity of the object at the beginning of the time interval.

* Time (t): This is the duration of the time interval over which the velocity changes.

Example:

A car accelerates from rest (v_i = 0 m/s) to a final velocity of 20 m/s in 5 seconds. What is the car's acceleration?

* v_f = 20 m/s

* v_i = 0 m/s

* t = 5 s

Using the formula:

* a = (20 m/s - 0 m/s) / 5 s = 4 m/s²

Therefore, the car's acceleration is 4 m/s².

Important Notes:

* Positive acceleration means the object is speeding up.

* Negative acceleration means the object is slowing down (also known as deceleration).

* Constant acceleration means the velocity changes at a steady rate.

* Non-constant acceleration means the velocity changes at an uneven rate.

Let me know if you'd like to try another example!