Acceleration Calculator
Master the physics of motion. Calculate how quickly an object speeds up or slows down using velocity and time.
Quick Guide
- 1.Initial Velocity (v₀): Starting speed (e.g., 0 m/s).
- 2.Final Velocity (v): Ending speed.
- 3.Time (t): Duration of the change.
The Formula
a = Δv / t
a = (v - v₀) / t
where Δv is the change in velocity
Benchmarks
- Gravity (Earth)9.8 m/s²
- Sports Car~7-9 m/s²
- Space Shuttle~29 m/s²
Calculate Acceleration
Enter your velocity and time measurements below. The calculator supports multiple units.
Speed at the beginning of motion.
Speed at the end of motion.
Total time taken for the change in velocity.
Enter values to calculate acceleration.
Did You Know?
Acceleration isn't just "speeding up." In physics, turning a corner at a constant speed is also acceleration because your direction changes!
Unit Conversions
Understanding Acceleration in Physics
In everyday language, "acceleration" usually means speeding up. However, in physics, acceleration is defined as the rate at which an object7apos;s velocity changes with respect to time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (how much) and direction.
Speeding Up
When the velocity and acceleration point in the same direction, the object speeds up.
Slowing Down (Deceleration)
When velocity and acceleration point in opposite directions, the object slows down.
Real-World Acceleration Scenarios
The Supercar Test
A Tesla Model S Plaid goes from 0 to 60 mph (26.8 m/s) in roughly 2 seconds.
Free Fall (Gravity)
If you drop a rock from a cliff, gravity pulls it down. After 3 seconds, how fast is it going?
Emergency Braking
A car traveling at 30 m/s (~67 mph) comes to a complete stop in 5 seconds.
Acceleration of Common Objects
| Object / Event | Acceleration (m/s²) | In G-Force | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Elevator | 1.0 - 1.5 | ~0.1 g | Comfortable for humans |
| Earth's Gravity | 9.81 | 1.0 g | Standard reference point |
| Space Shuttle Launch | 29.0 | 3.0 g | Maximum for astronaut comfort |
| Formula 1 Car (Braking) | ~50.0 | 5.0 g | Extreme deceleration |
| Fighter Jet Turn | ~90.0 | 9.0 g | Requires G-suit to survive |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between speed and velocity?
Speed is a scalar quantity (magnitude only), like "60 mph." Velocity is a vector quantity (magnitude + direction), like "60 mph North." Acceleration calculations typically use velocity because a change in direction is also considered acceleration.
Can acceleration be negative?
Yes. Negative acceleration usually indicates that the object is slowing down (deceleration) if it is moving in the positive direction. However, it can also mean the object is speeding up in the negative direction (e.g., a car reversing faster and faster).
Why is time squared (s²) in the units?
The unit is meters per second per second ($m/s/s$). It measures how many "meters per second" the velocity changes "every second." Mathematically, this simplifies to $m/s^2$.