Acceleration Study Notes

  • Speed vs. Velocity: Speed is a scalar quantity representing the rate of change in distance travelled, while velocity is a vector quantity representing speed in a particular direction.

  • Definition of Acceleration: Acceleration is the rate of change in speed or velocity.

  • Standard Symbols:

    • $u$ = initial speed

    • $v$ = final speed

    • $a$ = acceleration

    • $t$ = time

  • Acceleration Equation:

    a=v−uta = \frac{v - u}{t}


  • Deceleration: A car decelerates when braking; deceleration or negative acceleration applies whenever an object slows down.