Mechanics
Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time.
Variables
am/s²
Acceleration
Rate of change of velocity
Δvm/s
Change in velocity
Final minus initial velocity
Δts
Time interval
Elapsed time
Allowed values: greater than 0
Derivation
Acceleration is the derivative of velocity: a = dv/dt.
Your notes
0/5000
Check value
Round inputs run through this page's calculator. Use it to test your own working or a rearranged form. It is a test case, not a real-world example.
- Δv = 2 m/s (Change in velocity)
- Δt = 3 s (Time interval)
Result: a = 0.66666667 m/s²
Other mechanics formulas with the same quantities
- Kinematic Equation 3 (Kinematics) shares Acceleration
- Newton's Second Law (Dynamics) shares Acceleration
- Impulse (Momentum) shares Time interval
- Angular Velocity (Rotational Motion) shares Time interval
- Angular Acceleration (Rotational Motion) shares Time interval
Where this formula is listed
- Mechanics formulas, under Kinematics, alongside Kinematic Equation 4, Free Fall, Projectile Range, Projectile Maximum Height and Projectile Time of Flight.
- In the mechanics list it comes after Velocity and before Kinematic Equation 1.
- Mechanics formula sheet, one of 58 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
Common questions
What is the Acceleration formula?
Acceleration is written a = Δv/Δt. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. It belongs to Mechanics, under Kinematics.
What are the units in a = Δv/Δt?
In SI units, a is acceleration, measured in m/s²; Δv is change in velocity, measured in m/s; Δt is time interval, measured in s.
How is the Acceleration formula derived?
Acceleration is the derivative of velocity: a = dv/dt. The result is a = Δv/Δt.