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

1. 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.
2. Average acceleration can be positive or negative, indicating speeding up or slowing down, respectively.
3. It has both magnitude and direction, making it a vector quantity.
4. The SI unit for average acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).
5. 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?

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.