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1 Jan 2026

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2 pages

Understanding Velocity and Acceleration

Zofia

@zofia_577

Understanding how things move and change speed is crucial for... Show more

# Velocity & Acceleration

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Velocity (Vector Quantity)
Its speed in a particular direction, it includes

- the distance t

Understanding Velocity as a Vector

Velocity isn't just about how fast something's moving - it's speed with a specific direction attached. This makes it what physicists call a vector quantity, which means direction matters just as much as the number.

When you're calculating velocity, you need two key pieces of information. First, measure the distance travelled in a straight line from start to finish (not the winding path taken). Second, note the direction of that straight line - north, south, or at a specific angle.

Quick Tip: Remember that 30 m/s east is completely different from 30 m/s west, even though the speeds are identical!

This is why velocity problems often feel trickier than basic speed calculations - you're juggling both magnitude and direction simultaneously.

Mastering Acceleration Calculations

Acceleration measures how quickly velocity changes over time - think of it as the rate your speed increases or decreases. The beauty of acceleration is that it follows a straightforward pattern you can master with practice.

Start with the change in velocity: final velocity minus initial velocity. Then divide this change by the time taken. The formula becomes: a = Δv/t, where acceleration (a) is measured in metres per second squared $m/s²$ .

Let's see this in action with a car accelerating from rest to 28 m/s in 8.0 seconds. Since it starts from rest, initial velocity = 0 m/s. Change in velocity = 28 - 0 = 28 m/s. Therefore: acceleration = 28/8 = 3.5 m/s².

Remember: When an object starts "from rest," its initial velocity is always 0 m/s - this simplifies your calculations significantly!

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Physics

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1 Jan 2026

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2 pages

Understanding Velocity and Acceleration

Zofia

@zofia_577

Understanding how things move and change speed is crucial for physics - and it's everywhere around you! From cars accelerating away from traffic lights to footballs flying through the air, velocity and acceleration help explain the motion you see every... Show more

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Understanding Velocity as a Vector

Quick Tip: Remember that 30 m/s east is completely different from 30 m/s west, even though the speeds are identical!

This is why velocity problems often feel trickier than basic speed calculations - you're juggling both magnitude and direction simultaneously.

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Mastering Acceleration Calculations

Remember: When an object starts "from rest," its initial velocity is always 0 m/s - this simplifies your calculations significantly!