for example, i have a velocity of 2.6 meters/seconds, how can i find its acceleration?
2006-09-23 09:15:16 · 8 answers · asked by fender_tri 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
As noted , there must be a change in velocity in order
to determine acceleration. In every day speech we use
the term deceleration, but in physics it's either positive or negative acceleration.
Example: a car goes from zero to 60mph in 10 seconds.
Divide 60 by 10 to get 6 mph greater every sec. So the
acceleration is 6mph/sec. Read as 6 miles per hour per second.
This is a little awkward since we have two different units of time.
So let's substitute 88feet/sec for 60 mph. Now a=v/t or
a=88/10=8.8 feet per sec per sec. In physics(and engineering
and math) we say 8.8 feet per sec squared written
88 ft/sec^2.
And note further that this acceleration is the same even if
the change in velocity was from 100 feet/sec to 188 feet/sec
or even 1000 feet/sec to 1088feet/sec. The initial velocity
does not matter, only the change in velocity.
2006-09-23 09:33:40 · answer #1 · answered by albert 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you cannot - and by giving you two examples, I'll prove it:
- let us say you are traveling at 2.6 m/s on an open trail, to turns ahead. You maintain a constant speed so your acceleration is ZERO.
- let us say now that you have just stop and that you are about to start and speed up again. You set your acceleration to the maximum you can at the green line, and your speed will rapidly go from zero to your maximum speed. Your acceleration did not change but your speed did, and at one point it may have passed through 2.6 m/s.
2006-09-23 16:24:17 · answer #2 · answered by sebourban 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have no chance my friend. You ll need at least two values of velocity, and one value of time interval. or you can work with two values of velocity and a value of distance.
Only if the problem says that the initial or the final velocity is zero you ll be able to solve the problem with that given number you wrote. But you will need the distance or the time anyway.
Sorry, I m from Argentina and my english is not good.
2006-09-23 16:24:56 · answer #3 · answered by Kin Jin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless that velocity changes the acceleration is 0. acceleration is delta V or change in velocity.
2006-09-23 16:17:54 · answer #4 · answered by Sleeping Troll 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
acceleration is the change of velocity over time
with what you gave - you can't say anything about the acceleration... but most likely if you started from rest and achieved a velocity of 2.6m/s in 1 second then your acceleration would be 2.6m/s²
a = dv/dt
2006-09-23 16:18:25 · answer #5 · answered by Scott S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
u need to know the time to find the acceleration.
a = vf-vi/t
so it will be 2.6 - 0 which is 2.6 ... get the time and divide it by 2.6 then you'll be left with the acceleration!!
good luck xx
2006-09-23 16:22:51 · answer #6 · answered by before&after 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u the formula acceleration = 1/2 m v^2
were m = mass
v= velocity
that is if u have the mass of the object tho.
or u can use
a = v2 - v1 / t2 - t1
2006-09-23 16:22:39 · answer #7 · answered by 3ajeeba_q8 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you cant, not without additional information:
a = (v2^2-v1^2)/(2s)
a = (v2-v1)/t
2006-09-24 01:42:08 · answer #8 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋