Here's how to find the change in velocity, also known as acceleration:

Understanding the Concepts

* Velocity: Velocity is a measure of both speed and direction. It's how fast something is moving and in what direction.

* Change in Velocity (Acceleration): Acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes over time. It can involve a change in speed, direction, or both.

Formula

The formula for calculating change in velocity (acceleration) is:

Acceleration (a) = (Final Velocity (v_f) - Initial Velocity (v_i)) / Time (t)

Where:

* a: Acceleration (expressed in meters per second squared, m/s²)

* v_f: Final velocity (expressed in meters per second, m/s)

* v_i: Initial velocity (expressed in meters per second, m/s)

* t: Time taken for the change in velocity (expressed in seconds, s)

Example

Let's say a car starts from rest (initial velocity = 0 m/s) and reaches a speed of 20 m/s in 5 seconds.

* v_i = 0 m/s

* v_f = 20 m/s

* t = 5 s

Calculation:

* a = (20 m/s - 0 m/s) / 5 s

* a = 4 m/s²

Key Points

* Direction Matters: Acceleration is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (amount) and direction. A change in direction is considered acceleration, even if the speed remains constant.

* Positive and Negative Acceleration: Positive acceleration means the object is speeding up. Negative acceleration means the object is slowing down (also called deceleration).

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