Difference between revisions of "Acceleration"
(Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Etymology== Latin acceleratus, past participle of accelerare, from ad- + celer swift *Date: circa [http...') |
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*4 a : to enable (a student) to complete a [[course]] in less than usual [[time]] | *4 a : to enable (a student) to complete a [[course]] in less than usual [[time]] | ||
:b : to [[speed]] up (as a [[course]] of [[study]]) | :b : to [[speed]] up (as a [[course]] of [[study]]) | ||
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+ | <center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Acceleration''''', follow [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Acceleration '''''this link'''''].</center> | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
In [[physics]], and more specifically [[kinematics]], '''acceleration''' is the [[change]] in [[velocity]] over time. Because velocity is a [[vector]], it can [[change]] in two ways: a change in [[magnitude]] and/or a change in direction. In one [[dimension]], i.e. a line, acceleration is the [[rate]] at which something [[speed]]s up. However, as a vector [[quantity]], acceleration is also the rate at which direction changes. Acceleration has the dimensions L T −2. In SI units, acceleration is [[measured]] in meters per second squared (m/s2). | In [[physics]], and more specifically [[kinematics]], '''acceleration''' is the [[change]] in [[velocity]] over time. Because velocity is a [[vector]], it can [[change]] in two ways: a change in [[magnitude]] and/or a change in direction. In one [[dimension]], i.e. a line, acceleration is the [[rate]] at which something [[speed]]s up. However, as a vector [[quantity]], acceleration is also the rate at which direction changes. Acceleration has the dimensions L T −2. In SI units, acceleration is [[measured]] in meters per second squared (m/s2). |
Revision as of 17:05, 28 December 2012
Etymology
Latin acceleratus, past participle of accelerare, from ad- + celer swift
- Date: circa 1530
Definitions
- 1 : to bring about at an earlier time <accelerate their departure>
- 2 : to cause to move faster <accelerated his steps>; also : to cause to undergo acceleration
- 3 a : to hasten the progress or development of <accelerate our efforts>
- b : increase <accelerate food production>
Description
In physics, and more specifically kinematics, acceleration is the change in velocity over time. Because velocity is a vector, it can change in two ways: a change in magnitude and/or a change in direction. In one dimension, i.e. a line, acceleration is the rate at which something speeds up. However, as a vector quantity, acceleration is also the rate at which direction changes. Acceleration has the dimensions L T −2. In SI units, acceleration is measured in meters per second squared (m/s2).
In common speech, the term acceleration commonly is used for an increase in speed (the magnitude of velocity); a decrease in speed is called deceleration. In physics, a change in the direction of velocity also is an acceleration: for rotary motion, the change in direction of velocity results in centripetal (toward the center) acceleration; where as the rate of change of speed is a tangential acceleration.
In classical mechanics, for a body with constant mass, the acceleration of the body is proportional to the resultant (total) force acting on it (Newton's second law) where F is the resultant force acting on the body, m is the mass of the body, and a is its acceleration.[1]