Which equation defines acceleration?
A van speeds up from 10 m/s to 16 m/s in 3 s. Nothing in that sentence is labeled Δv. You've already seen the equation a = Δv/Δt and its unit m/s². Most problems, like the van's, hand you a starting velocity and a final velocity, and you build Δv yourself.
Here is the van's full solve, every step written down.
A van speeds up from 10 m/s to 16 m/s in 3 s. What is its acceleration?
Write down the values in the question:
a = ?
starting velocity = 10 m/s
final velocity = 16 m/s
Δt = 3 s
First find the change in velocity:
Δv = 16 − 10 = 6 m/s
Write down the equation:
a = Δv/Δt
Substitute in the values:
a = 6 / 3
Simplify:
a = 2 m/s²
A bus speeds up from 5 m/s to 17 m/s in 6 s. What is its acceleration, in m/s²?
A powerboat speeds up from 7 m/s to 19 m/s in 4 s. What is its acceleration?
Write down the values in the question:
a = ?
starting velocity = 7 m/s
final velocity = 19 m/s
Δt = 4 s
First find the change in velocity:
Δv = 19 − 7 = 12 m/s
Write down the equation:
a = Δv/Δt
Substitute in the values:
a = 12 / 4
Simplify:
a = 3 m/s²
A cyclist speeds up from 3 m/s to 12 m/s in 6 s. What is her acceleration, in m/s²?
A commuter train speeds up from 12 m/s to 32 m/s in 8 s. What is its acceleration?
Write down the values in the question:
a = ?
starting velocity = 12 m/s
final velocity = 32 m/s
Δt = 8 s
First find the change in velocity:
Δv = 32 − 12 = 20 m/s
Write down the equation:
a = Δv/Δt
Substitute in the values:
a = 20 / 8
Simplify:
a = 2.5 m/s²
A race car speeds up from 24 m/s to 60 m/s in 8 s. What is its acceleration, in m/s²?
A cargo drone speeds up from 6 m/s to 21 m/s in 5 s. What is its acceleration, in m/s²?
Merging onto a highway, a car speeds up from 18 m/s to 30 m/s in 8 s. What is its acceleration, in m/s²?
Elevator E speeds up from 2 m/s to 8 m/s in 3 s. Elevator F speeds up from 5 m/s to 9 m/s in 2 s. Which elevator has the greater acceleration?