Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Acceleration refers to the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time. It measures how quickly an object is speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction.
Velocity is the rate at which an object's position changes over time. It includes both speed and direction.
Deceleration: Deceleration is a type of acceleration that occurs when an object slows down or decreases in speed.
Instantaneous Acceleration: Instantaneous acceleration refers to the acceleration of an object at a specific moment in time. It can be positive (speeding up) or negative (slowing down).