Acceleration Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What is acceleration?

The rate of change of velocity (how quickly velocity changes).

What is the equation for acceleration in terms of change in velocity and time?

acceleration (m/s$^2$) = change in velocity (m/s) ÷ time taken (s), i.e. $a = \dfrac{v-u}{t}$

What are the steps to calculate an acceleration?

e.g. a car speeds up from 4 m/s to 20 m/s in 8 s

1. Find the change in velocity: $20 - 4 = 16$ m/s
2. Divide by the time taken: $16 \div 8$
3. Acceleration = 2 m/s$^2$

What does a negative acceleration tell you about an object's motion?

It is decelerating (slowing down), if it is moving in the positive direction.

What is the value of the acceleration in free fall, $g$?

10 m/s$^2$ (downwards).

Roughly what is the acceleration of an everyday family car pulling away from rest?

About 2 m/s$^2$ — much less than free fall (10 m/s$^2$).