Difference between a(t), a(v) and a(x)

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In summary, $a(t)$ represents acceleration with change in time, $a(v)$ represents acceleration with change in velocity, and $a(x)$ represents acceleration with change in position. We cannot equate $a(v)$ or $a(x)$ to $\d{v}{v}$ or $\d{v}{x}$, respectively, but we can say that $a(v) = a(t(v))$ and $a(x) = a(t(x))$.
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Joel Jacon
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What is the difference between $a(t)$, $a(v)$ and $a(x)$? If $a(t) = \d{v}{dt}$ then what will $a(v)$ and $a(x)$ equal to?

$a(t)$ is acceleration with change in time

$a(v)$ is acceleration with change in velocity

$a(x)$ is acceleration with change in position
 
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pcforgeek said:
What is the difference between $a(t)$, $a(v)$ and $a(x)$? If $a(t) = \d{v}{dt}$ then what will $a(v)$ and $a(x)$ equal to?

$a(t)$ is acceleration with change in time

$a(v)$ is acceleration with change in velocity

$a(x)$ is acceleration with change in position

Hi pcforgeek! ;)

I believe you already have the difference.We can indeed say that $a(t) = \d{v}{t}$, but generally $a(x) \ne \d{v}{x}$ and $a(v) \ne \d{v}{v}$.

The best I can say about $a(v)$ is that $a(v) = a(t(v))$ , where $t(v)$ is the function that says at which time we have speed $v$.
Similarly $a(x) = a(t(x))$.
 

FAQ: Difference between a(t), a(v) and a(x)

What is the difference between acceleration as a function of time (a(t)), acceleration as a function of velocity (a(v)), and acceleration as a function of position (a(x))?

The main difference between these three types of acceleration is the independent variable used to calculate the acceleration value. In a(t), the acceleration is calculated based on time, in a(v) it is based on velocity, and in a(x) it is based on position.

How do you calculate acceleration as a function of time?

To calculate acceleration as a function of time, you can use the formula a(t) = (v(t) - v(0)) / (t - t(0)), where v(t) is the velocity at a specific time, v(0) is the initial velocity, t is the final time, and t(0) is the initial time.

What does acceleration as a function of velocity represent?

Acceleration as a function of velocity represents the rate of change of velocity over time. It shows how quickly an object's velocity is changing at a specific point in time.

Can acceleration as a function of position be negative?

Yes, acceleration as a function of position can be negative. This means that the object is slowing down or decelerating at that specific point in its motion.

How are acceleration as a function of velocity and acceleration as a function of position related?

Acceleration as a function of velocity and acceleration as a function of position are related through the derivative of velocity with respect to time. Mathematically, a(v) = dv/dt and a(x) = d^2x/dt^2.

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