Formula and method
Average acceleration = (final velocity − initial velocity)/elapsed time.
Worked example
A change from 20 m/s to 0 over five seconds gives average acceleration −4 m/s² in the chosen positive direction.
Acceleration Calculator
Find average acceleration from two velocities and a time, or solve for final velocity, initial velocity or elapsed time.
Printed from Calxy · https://www.calxy.net/other/acceleration-calculator
Average acceleration4.0000 m/s²
m/s
-1,000,000,000,000,000 – 1,000,000,000,000,000 m/s
m/s
-1,000,000,000,000,000 – 1,000,000,000,000,000 m/s
s
0 – 1,000,000,000,000,000 s
Average acceleration
4.0000 m/s²
- Initial velocity0.0000 m/s
- Final velocity20.0000 m/s
- Elapsed time5.0000 s
- Velocity change20.0000 m/s
Signed one-dimensional velocities use a consistent positive direction. Average acceleration does not determine the instantaneous acceleration throughout the interval.
How this was calculated
- a = (v − u) ÷ tPut in your numbers: a = (20 m/s − 0 m/s) ÷ 5 sAnswer: a = 4 m/s²
Frequently asked questions
Does average acceleration describe every instant?
No. Many motion profiles have the same average. Instantaneous acceleration can vary throughout the interval.
References
- University Physics Volume 1, 3.3 Average and Instantaneous Acceleration — OpenStax (Rice University)
Last updated . Results are estimates for informational purposes only.