Subjects
Biology
AP Chemistry
Chemistry
English
AP English Literature
2
0
Smruti Sannabhadti
11/19/2025
AP Physics 1
Acceleration
93
•
Nov 19, 2025
•
Acceleration is all about how quickly velocity changes, whether something... Show more
Acceleration happens whenever velocity changes - and remember, velocity includes both speed and direction. When an object speeds up, slows down, or changes direction, it's accelerating. Even when something is slowing down (also called "deceleration"), it's still experiencing acceleration.
The units for acceleration tell the whole story. We measure distance in meters or feet, velocity in meters per second or miles per hour (mph), and acceleration in meters per second squared . This "squared" part means we're looking at how velocity changes over time.
To calculate acceleration, we use the formula: a = /t, where Vf is final velocity, Vi is initial velocity, and t is time. For example, if an ant speeds up from 0.1 m/s to 0.5 m/s in 0.5 seconds, its acceleration would be (0.5 - 0.1)/0.5 = 0.8 m/s².
Remember this! The direction of acceleration and velocity tell you what's happening to speed: when they have the same sign (both positive or both negative), speed increases; when they have opposite signs, speed decreases.
Physics gives us three main formulas for working with acceleration problems. You can choose the right one based on what information you have:
Vx = Vxo + axt (when you know initial velocity, acceleration, and time)X = Xo + Vxot + ½axt² (when position changes are involved)Vx² = Vxo² + 2ax (when you don't know time)Let's apply these to real problems. For instance, if you travel 80 meters while accelerating at 8 m/s² for 4 seconds, you can find your initial velocity by rearranging the position equation: Vxo = /t. Plugging in our values: Vxo = (80 - ½(8)(4²))/4 = 4 m/s.
When solving acceleration problems, start by listing what's given and what you need to find. Then select the appropriate equation and solve. In another example, if you travel 100 m in 4 seconds and end with a velocity of 60 m/s, your initial velocity would be -10 m/s (meaning you started by moving in the opposite direction).
Pro tip: When in doubt about which equation to use, look at what variables you know and what you need to find - that will guide you to the right formula.
Physics isn't just numbers on paper - it helps us understand real situations. Consider this scenario: you're approaching the ground at 30 m/s, need to slow to 1 m/s before landing, and have only 10 meters to do it. If acceleration beyond 40 m/s² causes blackout and beyond 80 m/s² is fatal, will you survive?
To solve this, we need the equation that doesn't require time: Vx² = Vxo² + 2a(Δx). We can rearrange this to find acceleration: a = /(2Δx).
Substituting our values: a = (1² - 30²)/(2(10)) = -899/20 = -45 m/s². The negative sign means the acceleration is in the opposite direction of motion - you're slowing down.
Since 45 m/s² is greater than 40 m/s², you would black out during this landing. However, since it's less than 80 m/s², you would survive. This is exactly how pilots and astronauts must calculate safe landing procedures!
Think about it: Your body experiences acceleration every day - when your car stops at a light, when you ride an elevator, or when you jump on a trampoline. The sensation you feel isn't speed - it's acceleration!
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
App Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Acceleration is all about how quickly velocity changes, whether something is speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction. Understanding acceleration is crucial for solving physics problems and making sense of motion in the real world.
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Acceleration happens whenever velocity changes - and remember, velocity includes both speed and direction. When an object speeds up, slows down, or changes direction, it's accelerating. Even when something is slowing down (also called "deceleration"), it's still experiencing acceleration.
The units for acceleration tell the whole story. We measure distance in meters or feet, velocity in meters per second or miles per hour (mph), and acceleration in meters per second squared . This "squared" part means we're looking at how velocity changes over time.
To calculate acceleration, we use the formula: a = /t, where Vf is final velocity, Vi is initial velocity, and t is time. For example, if an ant speeds up from 0.1 m/s to 0.5 m/s in 0.5 seconds, its acceleration would be (0.5 - 0.1)/0.5 = 0.8 m/s².
Remember this! The direction of acceleration and velocity tell you what's happening to speed: when they have the same sign (both positive or both negative), speed increases; when they have opposite signs, speed decreases.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Physics gives us three main formulas for working with acceleration problems. You can choose the right one based on what information you have:
Vx = Vxo + axt (when you know initial velocity, acceleration, and time)X = Xo + Vxot + ½axt² (when position changes are involved)Vx² = Vxo² + 2ax (when you don't know time)Let's apply these to real problems. For instance, if you travel 80 meters while accelerating at 8 m/s² for 4 seconds, you can find your initial velocity by rearranging the position equation: Vxo = /t. Plugging in our values: Vxo = (80 - ½(8)(4²))/4 = 4 m/s.
When solving acceleration problems, start by listing what's given and what you need to find. Then select the appropriate equation and solve. In another example, if you travel 100 m in 4 seconds and end with a velocity of 60 m/s, your initial velocity would be -10 m/s (meaning you started by moving in the opposite direction).
Pro tip: When in doubt about which equation to use, look at what variables you know and what you need to find - that will guide you to the right formula.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Physics isn't just numbers on paper - it helps us understand real situations. Consider this scenario: you're approaching the ground at 30 m/s, need to slow to 1 m/s before landing, and have only 10 meters to do it. If acceleration beyond 40 m/s² causes blackout and beyond 80 m/s² is fatal, will you survive?
To solve this, we need the equation that doesn't require time: Vx² = Vxo² + 2a(Δx). We can rearrange this to find acceleration: a = /(2Δx).
Substituting our values: a = (1² - 30²)/(2(10)) = -899/20 = -45 m/s². The negative sign means the acceleration is in the opposite direction of motion - you're slowing down.
Since 45 m/s² is greater than 40 m/s², you would black out during this landing. However, since it's less than 80 m/s², you would survive. This is exactly how pilots and astronauts must calculate safe landing procedures!
Think about it: Your body experiences acceleration every day - when your car stops at a light, when you ride an elevator, or when you jump on a trampoline. The sensation you feel isn't speed - it's acceleration!
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user