What are some good equations to find acceleration?

In summary, the equation for finding acceleration is a = (v_f - v_i) / t, where a represents acceleration, v_f represents final velocity, v_i represents initial velocity, and t represents time. There is a difference between average acceleration and instantaneous acceleration, where average acceleration is the change in velocity over a certain period of time and instantaneous acceleration is the acceleration at a specific moment in time. Other equations to find acceleration include a = F / m and a = rω^2. Acceleration can be negative, indicating deceleration, and can be found using a position-time graph by calculating the slope of the tangent line or using the equation a = (Δv) / (Δt).
  • #1
jrguy86
2
0
what are some good equations to find acceleration?
 
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  • #2
f=ma of course.
 
  • #3
Let d = distance, v = velocity and a = acceleration
Then v =d(d)/dt
and
a = d(v)/dt
a = second derivative of d.
 
  • #4
[tex] \vec a= \frac{dv_x}{dt} i +\frac{dv_y}{dt}j +\frac{dv_z}{dt}k [/tex]

wherei, j, k are unit vectors along x,y and z directions
 
Last edited:
  • #5
Thanks for the help

thanks for helping me.
 

FAQ: What are some good equations to find acceleration?

What is the equation for finding acceleration?

The equation for finding acceleration is a = (vf - vi) / t, where a represents acceleration, vf represents final velocity, vi represents initial velocity, and t represents time.

What is the difference between average acceleration and instantaneous acceleration?

Average acceleration is the change in velocity over a certain period of time, while instantaneous acceleration is the acceleration at a specific moment in time. Average acceleration can be calculated using the equation a = (vf - vi) / t, while instantaneous acceleration can be calculated using the derivative of velocity with respect to time, a = dv / dt.

Are there any other equations to find acceleration besides the basic formula?

Yes, there are multiple equations that can be used to find acceleration depending on the given variables. Some examples include a = F / m, where F represents force and m represents mass, and a = rω2, where r represents radius and ω represents angular velocity.

Can acceleration be negative?

Yes, acceleration can be negative. This indicates that an object is decelerating or slowing down. In the equation a = (vf - vi) / t, a negative value for acceleration would mean that the final velocity is less than the initial velocity.

How can I find acceleration if I only have the position-time graph?

If you have a position-time graph, you can find acceleration by calculating the slope of the tangent line at any given point. The slope of the tangent line represents the instantaneous velocity, and the derivative of velocity with respect to time gives the acceleration. Alternatively, you can also use the equation a = (Δv) / (Δt), where Δv represents change in velocity and Δt represents change in time.

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