Change in Velocity

Velocity rarely stays constant

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity
When the velocity of an object
changes, the object is accelerating
A change in velocity can be either
a change in how fast something is
moving, or a change in the
direction it is moving
Acceleration occurs when an object changes its speed, its direction, or
both

Acceleration- the rate at

which velocity changes in
time (speed OR direction
components)

Change in Velocity
In a car we can change our velocity 3
ways:
Speed up
Slow down
Change direction

All of these would be considered

acceleration

Change in Velocity
30 km/h

km
60

/h

60 km/h

60 km/h

We say that this car is accelerating

because its velocity is increasing

60 km/h

We say that this car is accelerating

because its direction is changing as it
turns, which means its velocity is
changingeven though its speed stays
constant

30 km/h

0 km/h

We say that this car is accelerating

because its velocity is decreasing.
Decreasing velocity is still acceleration,
although it is a negative
acceleration

Change in Velocity
Changing speed changes velocity and is
therefore considered acceleration
Positive acceleration speeding up
Negative acceleration slowing down

Acceleration Formula
A = VfinalVinitial

OR

Example: A cars velocity changes from 0.0m/s south to

50.0m/s south in 10.0 seconds. Calculate the cars
acceleration
Given: Vinitial: 0.0m/s south
Vfinal: 50.0m/s south
Time: 10.0 seconds
Uknown: acceleration
Equation:

A = Vfinal Vinitial

Time

Setup:

A = 50.0m/s 0.0m/s

Solve:

A = 5.0 m/s/s
or m/s2

10.0s

Check for Understanding

A car traveling at 60 mph accelerates to
90 mph in 3 seconds. What is the
cars acceleration?
Given:
Uknown:
Equation:
Setup:
Solve:

Check for Understanding

A car traveling at 60 mph accelerates to
90 mph in 3 seconds. What is the
cars acceleration?
Given:

Velocity(initial) = 60 mph
Velocity(final) = 90 mph
Time = 3 seconds

Unknown: What is the cars acceleration?

Equation: Acceleration = Velocity(final) - Velocity(initial)
Setup:

time

90 mph - 60 mph = 30 mph

=
3 seconds
3 seconds

Solve: = 10 mph/second

Check for Understanding

A car traveling at 60 mph slams on the breaks to
avoid hitting a deer. The car comes to a safe stop
6 seconds after applying the breaks. What is the
cars acceleration?
Given:
Unknown:
Equation:
Setup:

Solve:

Check for Understanding

A car traveling at 60 mph slams on the breaks to
avoid hitting a deer. The car comes to a safe stop
6 seconds after applying the breaks. What is the
cars acceleration?
Given: Velocity = 60 mph Velocity = 0 mph
Time = 6 seconds
(initial)

(finall)

Unknown: Acceleration
Equation: Acceleration = Velocity(final) - Velocity(initial)
time
Setup: = 0 mph - 60 mph = -60 mph
6 seconds
6 seconds
Solve: = -10 mph/second