Acceleration Calculator

Result

10 mps2

About the Acceleration Calculator

Acceleration is the rate at which an object changes its velocity over time. Because velocity is a vector quantity containing both speed and direction, an object accelerates when it speeds up, slows down, or changes direction.

Mathematical Formula & Logic

The formula for average acceleration is: a = (v_f - v_i) / t Where: - a = Acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²) - v_f = Final velocity in meters per second (m/s) - v_i = Initial velocity in meters per second (m/s) - t = Time interval in seconds (s)

Step-by-Step Example

A car accelerates from rest (0 m/s) to 30 m/s in 6 seconds. Calculate its acceleration: a = (30 - 0) / 6 = 5 m/s².

Reference Data & Values

scenariovalue m_s2description
Gravity on Earth (g)9.80665 m/s²Standard free fall acceleration
Gravity on the Moon1.62 m/s²Approx 1/6th of Earth gravity
Performance sports car8.0 m/s²0 to 100 km/h in under 3.5 seconds
Commercial Passenger Jet takeoff3.0 m/s²Steady linear runway launch acceleration

Frequently Asked Questions

It represents the change in velocity (meters per second) that occurs every second. For example, an acceleration of 5 m/s² means the object's speed increases by 5 meters per second, every second.
Negative acceleration occurs when an object is slowing down in the direction of its motion. The velocity decreases over time, resulting in a negative sign in the calculation.
Uniform acceleration is when the velocity of an object changes by equal amounts in equal time intervals. A classic example is an object in free-fall near the Earth's surface in the absence of air resistance.