MHS Physics Department Unit 2-2 Acceleration Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Since velocity is a vector, acceleration not only occurs when there is a change in speed but also when there is a change in direction. Acceleration = change in velocity/ time The formula is a = Δv/Δt or (v f –v i )/Δt or (v-u)/ Δt
MHS Physics Department The units of acceleration are m/s 2 (meters per second per second or meters per second squared) Q1. A car accelerates from 0.0 – 60.0 m/s in 10.0 s. Calculate its acceleration. Q2. A rider on a bicycle decelerates from 10.0 m/s to 5.0 m/s in 10.0 s. What is their acceleration?
MHS Physics Department Draw a graph of the following motion. An Olympic athlete, initially at rest, accelerates uniformly from 0.0 m/s to 10.0 m/s in 2.0 s, they stay at that velocity for 8.0 s. They then decelerate to rest in 1.5 s. Put time on the x axis and velocity on the y axis. Calculate the slope for each part of the journey. This will give you their acceleration.
MHS Physics Department Practice problems p 55 q13-19 not graded. Practice problems q9-13 p53 not graded Homework Q1-6 p59 graded Get books covered