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Acceleration Formula:
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Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. On a velocity-time graph, acceleration is represented by the slope of the line. The steeper the slope, the greater the acceleration.
The calculator uses the acceleration formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how quickly velocity changes over a specific time interval, giving the average acceleration during that period.
Details: Calculating acceleration from velocity-time graphs is fundamental in physics for analyzing motion, understanding forces, and solving problems related to kinematics and dynamics.
Tips: Enter the change in velocity in meters per second (m/s) and the change in time in seconds (s). Time must be a positive value greater than zero.
Q1: What does a negative acceleration value mean?
A: Negative acceleration (deceleration) indicates that the object is slowing down. On a velocity-time graph, this would be represented by a downward sloping line.
Q2: How is acceleration related to the slope of the graph?
A: Acceleration is equal to the slope of the velocity-time graph. A steeper slope indicates greater acceleration, while a horizontal line indicates zero acceleration (constant velocity).
Q3: What units are used for acceleration?
A: Acceleration is typically measured in meters per second squared (m/s²) in the SI system.
Q4: Can this calculator handle instantaneous acceleration?
A: This calculator provides average acceleration over a time interval. For instantaneous acceleration, you would need to calculate the derivative of the velocity function at a specific point.
Q5: What if the velocity-time graph is curved?
A: For curved graphs, acceleration is not constant. This calculator gives the average acceleration between two points. To find instantaneous acceleration at a point, you would need to find the slope of the tangent line at that point.