Acceleration describes how velocity changes over time. This guide covers what it means, how it's measured, and real‑world uses.
What is Acceleration?
Rate of change of velocity with respect to time; a vector with magnitude and direction. Speeding up, slowing down, or turning are all acceleration.
Key Formula
a = Δv / Δt
Measuring Acceleration
Units (SI and others):
- m/s² — SI
- cm/s² — 0.01 m/s²
- ft/s² — 0.3048 m/s²
- in/s² — 0.0254 m/s²
- g — 9.80665 m/s²
Types of Acceleration
Linear Acceleration
Change in speed along a straight line:
- Car 0→60 mph
- Elevator start
- Roller coaster drop
Angular Acceleration
Change in rotational speed:
- Spinning top slowing
- Ceiling fan starting
- Wheel during braking
Real‑World Examples
Everyday Life
- Car: ~2–3 m/s²
- Elevator: ~1–2 m/s²
- Free‑fall g: 9.81 m/s²
Extreme
- F1 braking: up to ~6.5 m/s²
- Shuttle launch: ~3g
- Bug on windshield: ~100,000 m/s²
How is Acceleration Measured?
- Accelerometers
- IMUs (aerospace/robotics)
- High‑speed cameras
- Radar guns
Did You Know?
Rimac Nevera: 0–60 mph in 1.85 s (~1.5g).
Applications of Acceleration
Transportation
- Airbags/ABS
- Ride comfort
- Takeoff/landing
Technology
- Phone orientation
- Game controllers
- Wearables
Practical Tip
Support head/neck during rapid acceleration or deceleration to avoid injury.