<h2 dir="ltr">Definition of Acceleration</h2>
Acceleration refers to the rate at which an object changes its velocity over a period of time. Otherwise explained, it is merely a basic definition that anything that is speeding up, slowing down, or changing its direction is accelerating. <a href="https://www.orchidsinternationalschool.com/physics-formula/average-acceleration-formula">Acceleration</a> represents a change of the velocity of an object in a unit of time.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Acceleration Formula</h2>
Acceleration is the rate of change in <a href="https://www.orchidsinternationalschool.com/physics-formula/velocity-formula">velocity</a> to the <a href="https://www.orchidsinternationalschool.com/physics-formula/speed-distance-time-formula">change in time</a>. It is represented by the symbol a and is pronounced as-
&nbsp;a=change in velocity time taken
The S.I. unit for acceleration is a meter per second square or m/s2.
If t (time taken), v (final velocity) and u (initial velocity) are given. Then the acceleration is given by the formula
&nbsp;v=u+at
<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeG0lXqRD5OraGyWYt00ShyLuQm18WP3duCa8i4j5MqJPn0glJYxu7Mafb8UmRiHbEtAzfo4gS9HNxc-qbt1X-pPwCj4zDqvVFWzQPxDnKvaOhGD7Hj_mz_rHG84Gf9f3L32A1LNz4u9UZNLMpY6mHJ-3eE?key=VUIkEcQ1EEWSvNPUwFJfCg" alt="acceleration formula" width="126" height="32"> <img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdTobLK6rcBZfyT1I-4tbFoCfoKFDL8a4e_JhTr6kke0XfxFTdhqx6tCOEm1TsoQKH2GyQa4cXth-kU9-e375JFmsIVi7TYvZb1A5Ftb3G400Tmf38ZbPmGeB_V5hXLMxZc19uJFlda2lyRiT-pA5YwIFpb?key=VUIkEcQ1EEWSvNPUwFJfCg" alt="acceleration formula" width="140" height="38"> 
Where,
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Final Velocity is v
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Initial velocity is u
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Acceleration is a
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Time taken is t
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Distance travelled is s
</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr">Acceleration Solved Problems</h2>
Below we have provided some sample numerical based on acceleration which may help you to give an idea of how the formula is used:
Problem 1: A toy car accelerates distance from&nbsp; 3 m/s to 5 m/s in 5 s. What is its acceleration?
Solution:
Given:&nbsp; Initial Velocity u = 3 m/s,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The final velocity, v = 5m/s,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Time taken, t = 5.
The Acceleration is given by, a=v-ut
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=5-35
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=&nbsp; 4.0 m/s2
Therefore acceleration of a toy car is&nbsp; 4.0 m/s2.&nbsp; &nbsp;
Problem 2: A stone is thrown into the river from a bridge. It takes 4s for the stone to touch the water surface. Find the height of the bridge from the water level.
Answer:&nbsp;
Given: u = 0, since the stone was at rest
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;t = 4s
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a = g = 9.8 m/s2, since a is Acceleration due to gravity
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;distance travelled by stone = Height of bridge = s
The distance travelled is given by
<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfRikKu4JdpmjRP8LaSF4EaD313YCZhS_mAqY6svtV02oA2exAtNxvOt41Kwz-8_u2pKAuSY2lh7K7mGn3CQcGuMdSvWReGP4gWQO9oitfQmq9vLXz7vOCJJIW_DFuJGWquK_apqKLVFBVjDBTmEOjLfRk?key=VUIkEcQ1EEWSvNPUwFJfCg" alt="acceleration formula" width="123" height="37"> 
s = 0 + 1/2 &times; 9.8 &times; 4 = 19.6 m/s2
Thus, s = 19.6 m/s2
&nbsp;
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Acceleration Formula

Understand what is Acceleration, Know about the formula of Acceleration in physics, and get the solved examples at Orchids International School.