Deceleration Formula

What is Deceleration

You must have noticed that often we slow down the speed of our bikes during heavy traffic when more bikes are obstructing us. So, a decrease in speed as the body moves away from the starting point is defined as Deceleration. Deceleration is the opposite of acceleration.

It is expressed as

Deceleration also is known as negative acceleration. Hence it is denoted by – a.

If starting velocity, final velocity and time taken are given, Deceleration Formula is given by

It is the final velocity minus the initial velocity, with a negative sign in the result because the velocity is decreasing.

If initial velocity, final velocity and distance travelled are given, deceleration is given by

Where,

v = final velocity,

_u =  initial velocity,

t = time taken,

s = distance covered.

Deceleration Formula is used to calculate the deceleration of the given body in motion. It is expressed in meter per second square (m/s²).

Solved Examples

Question 1: An automobile moving with a uniform velocity of 54 Kmph is brought to rest in travelling a distance of 5 m. Calculate the deceleration produced by brakes?

Solution:

Given: Initial velocity u = 54 Kmph,

            Final velocity v = 0

            Distance covered s = 5m

We know that v² = u² + 2as

Deceleration a = v² –  u² / 2s

                            = – (54000 )² / 2(5)

a=-291.6 x 10⁶ m/s²