Average acceleration
Definition
Average acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the time over which the change occurs. It is a vector quantity that indicates how quickly an object's velocity is changing.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- The formula for average acceleration is $a_{avg} = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$, where $\Delta v$ is the change in velocity and $\Delta t$ is the change in time.
- Average acceleration can be positive or negative, indicating speeding up or slowing down, respectively.
- It has both magnitude and direction, making it a vector quantity.
- The SI unit for average acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).
- Average acceleration provides a simplified view of motion when compared to instantaneous acceleration, which considers changes at each specific moment.
Review Questions
- What is the formula for calculating average acceleration?
- In what units is average acceleration measured?
- How does average acceleration differ from instantaneous acceleration?
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Subjects (2)
Related terms
Instantaneous Acceleration: The rate of change of velocity at a specific moment in time.
Velocity: The speed of an object in a particular direction.
Displacement: The overall change in position of an object; it is a vector quantity.
