Question

How do you solve acceleration problems?

Answer 1

Step 1: Acceleration

The rate at which an object's velocity with respect to time changes is referred to as acceleration in mechanics. It is a vector quantity to accelerate (in that they have magnitude and direction). The direction of the net force acting on an object determines the direction of its acceleration.

Step 2: The formula to find the acceleration

Acceleration is the rate of change of the velocity of an object with respect to time. It is represented by

1. $a=\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$, where $\Delta v$ is the change in velocity and $\Delta t$ is the change in time, or
2. $a=\frac{v-u}{t}$, where $v$ is the final velocity and $u$ is the initial velocity during the time period $t$,

Step 3: Newton’s second law of motion and other formulas, to find acceleration

According to Newton’s second law of motion, the acceleration of an object equals the net force acting on it divided by its mass, that is $a=\frac{F}{m}$.

Acceleration can be found if displacement $s$, initial velocity $u$, and time $t$ are given, from the formula $s=ut+\frac{1}{2}a{t}^2$.

It can be also found if both initial and final velocity and displacement on an object are given, then by using the relation $v^2=u^2+2as$.