Mechanics
Angular Acceleration
Rate of change of angular velocity.
Variables
αrad/s²
Angular acceleration
Rate of change of ω
Δωrad/s
Change in angular velocity
Final - initial ω
Δts
Time interval
Elapsed time
Allowed values: greater than 0
Derivation
Angular analog of acceleration: α = dω/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.
- Δω = 2 rad/s (Change in angular velocity)
- Δt = 3 s (Time interval)
Result: α = 0.66666667 rad/s²
Other mechanics formulas with the same quantities
- Newton's Second Law (Rotation) (Rotational Motion) shares Angular acceleration
- Rotational Kinematic 1 (Rotational Motion) shares Angular acceleration
- Rotational Kinematic 2 (Rotational Motion) shares Angular acceleration
- Rotational Kinematic 3 (Rotational Motion) shares Angular acceleration
- Velocity (Kinematics) shares Time interval
- Acceleration (Kinematics) shares Time interval
Where this formula is listed
- Mechanics formulas, under Rotational Motion, alongside Linear-Angular Velocity Relation, Centripetal Acceleration, Centripetal Force, Moment of Inertia (Point Mass) and Rotational Kinetic Energy.
- In the mechanics list it comes after Angular Velocity and before Linear-Angular Velocity Relation.
- 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 Angular Acceleration formula?
Angular Acceleration is written α = Δω/Δt. Rate of change of angular velocity. It belongs to Mechanics, under Rotational Motion.
What are the units in α = Δω/Δt?
In SI units, α is angular acceleration, measured in rad/s²; Δω is change in angular velocity, measured in rad/s; Δt is time interval, measured in s.
How is the Angular Acceleration formula derived?
Angular analog of acceleration: α = dω/dt. The result is α = Δω/Δt.
