1. Constant Acceleration:
* a = (v_f - v_i) / t
* a = acceleration
* v_f = final velocity
* v_i = initial velocity
* t = time
2. Acceleration from Force and Mass (Newton's Second Law):
* a = F / m
* a = acceleration
* F = net force acting on the object
* m = mass of the object
3. Acceleration from Displacement and Time (Constant Acceleration):
* a = 2 * (d - v_i * t) / t^2
* a = acceleration
* d = displacement
* v_i = initial velocity
* t = time
Important Considerations:
* Units: Acceleration is typically measured in meters per second squared (m/s²).
* Vectors: Acceleration is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (how much) and direction.
* Constant vs. Non-Constant Acceleration: The formulas above assume constant acceleration. For non-constant acceleration, more advanced calculus techniques are needed.
Example:
Let's say a car accelerates from rest (v_i = 0 m/s) to a final velocity of 20 m/s in 5 seconds. Using the first formula, we can calculate the acceleration:
* a = (20 m/s - 0 m/s) / 5 s = 4 m/s²
This means the car is accelerating at a rate of 4 meters per second squared.
