Acceleration | Physics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Acceleration

• Acceleration is the measure of how quickly an object's velocity changes. In simpler terms, it shows how much an object's speed changes every second.
• The following formula is employed to determine the average acceleration of an object:
  
• Where: 
  • a = acceleration in metres per second squared (m/s²) 
  • Δv = change in velocity in metres per second (m/s) 
  • Δt = time taken in seconds (s)
• The change in velocity is determined by subtracting the initial velocity from the final velocity.
  Change in Velocity Formula: It is calculated as the final velocity minus the initial velocity.
  Δv = v - u
• Where:
  • v: Represents the final velocity in meters per second (m/s).
  • u: Denotes the initial velocity in meters per second (m/s).
• The equation for acceleration can be rearranged using a formula triangle, as illustrated below:
  

Understanding Acceleration

• Definition: Acceleration refers to the rate at which an object changes its velocity.
• Types of Acceleration:
  • Positive Acceleration: Occurs when an object speeds up.
  • Negative Acceleration (Deceleration): Happens when an object slows down.
• Interpreting Acceleration: Acceleration can be positive or negative, depending on whether the object is speeding up or slowing down.
• Examples:
  • Scenario 1: A rocket speeding up is an example of positive acceleration.
  • Scenario 2: A car slowing down demonstrates negative acceleration or deceleration.