How is acceleration calculated?

Acceleration is calculated by determining the change in velocity over a specified time period. The formula states that acceleration (a) equals the change in velocity (Δv), which is the difference between the final velocity and the initial velocity, divided by the time taken (Δt) during which this change occurs. This relationship holds true as acceleration describes how quickly an object is speeding up or slowing down.

This definition aligns with Newton's second law of motion, where acceleration is fundamentally connected to changes in the speed of an object as it moves under the influence of forces. In summary, recognizing that acceleration is rooted in the ratio of velocity change to time is critical for understanding motion in mechanics.