Today I'm going to talk about a
lil ol' concept by the name of acceleration. What's acceleration you ask?
Well my dear moomins, I will tell you! Acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the time it takes for change
to occur. If you're new around here you may've missed my definitions from last
time on velocity and speed. I'll include those since I'm feeling generous today.
Speed is the distance an object has traveled in a unit of time and The velocity
of something is its speed and direction of motion. Great now that that’s covered
we can delve in deeper into the concept of acceleration!
There are three ways to accelerate. The first is speeding up. Basically it’s when the speed of an object is increasing, so this changes the velocity. Because of this we get acceleration! When you’re riding a bicycle, the bike moves slow first, but as you continue pedaling your speed increases. Next there’s the concept of slowing down. When an object slows down acceleration occurs in the opposite direction of motion. Let’s say you’re now biking a little too fast so you put your brakes on and come to a stop. The final is a change in direction. Velocity can also alter the direction of motion. This causes the acceleration of something to be at an angle to the direction of motion. An example of this would be riding your bike in a different direction, let’s say you turn right, since direction was altered, acceleration changed.
There are three ways to accelerate. The first is speeding up. Basically it’s when the speed of an object is increasing, so this changes the velocity. Because of this we get acceleration! When you’re riding a bicycle, the bike moves slow first, but as you continue pedaling your speed increases. Next there’s the concept of slowing down. When an object slows down acceleration occurs in the opposite direction of motion. Let’s say you’re now biking a little too fast so you put your brakes on and come to a stop. The final is a change in direction. Velocity can also alter the direction of motion. This causes the acceleration of something to be at an angle to the direction of motion. An example of this would be riding your bike in a different direction, let’s say you turn right, since direction was altered, acceleration changed.
Acceleration
can be calculated by using the equation: final speed – initial speed divided by
time.
links for photos:
Acceleration Formula
Nyan cat bike (I'm sorry for using this tired meme that should just die already)
Graphing acceleration
calculating acceleration
information from:
Glenco Science "Introduction to Physical Science"
Acceleration can also be graphed. You graph acceleration using a tool
called a speed-time graph. If the line rises the object is speeding up, but if
the line falls it is slowing down. A horizontal line represents a change of
zero; acceleration is at zero or a constant speed.
I hope that
helped everyone a little bit! If I don’t get the chance to say this next week I'm hoping your Valentine’s Day is perfect as cats!
links for photos:
Acceleration Formula
Nyan cat bike (I'm sorry for using this tired meme that should just die already)
Graphing acceleration
calculating acceleration
information from:
Glenco Science "Introduction to Physical Science"
