1. Ch. 2-2
Acceleration

2. Acceleration
• Measures the rate of change of
velocity in a given time
• Calculated by dividing the total
change in an object’s velocity by the
time interval in which the change
occurs

3. Acceleration (cont.)
• Dimensions are length divided by
time squared (how much the velocity
changes each second)
• Vector (magnitude and direction)
• Can be positive or negative

4. Acceleration (cont.)
• When velocity is constant,
acceleration is zero
• See Figure 2-10 on page 50
• Deceleration – magnitude of the
velocity decreases over time

5. Formulas (sheet)
• For constant acceleration, average
velocity is equal to initial velocity +
final velocity divided by 2 (average
• Displacement / time interval = initial
velocity + final velocity / 2

6. Acceleration (cont.)
• Displacement with constant
uniform acceleration
–Displacement = ½ (initial velocity +
final velocity) (time)