How to find the rate of acceleration?

1 Answer
Jul 10, 2018

It depends on what data you have. See below.

Explanation:

You probably were given a set of 4 formulas of motion. The three that include acceleration are

  • #v = u + a*t#
  • #d = u*t + 1/2*a*t^2#
  • #v^2 = u^2 + 2*a*d#

#v# is final velocity, #u# is initial velocity,
#d# is displacement (or distance), and #a# is acceleration

Newton's 2nd Law is another formula which involves acceleration. In formula form (Newton described it in words) it is

#F = m*a#

#F# is force, #m# is mass

To use this set of formulas to find acceleration, choose the formula that has a place for the data you have. Plug the data into the appropriate places and solve for #a#.

I hope this helps,
Steve