Enter the change in velocity, the initial position, and the final position into the calculator to determine the Position to Acceleration. 

Position to Acceleration Formula

The following equation is used to calculate the Position to Acceleration.

A = dV^2 / (2*(p2-p1) )
  • Where A is the Position to Acceleration (m/s^2)
  • dV is the change in velocity (m/s)
  • p1 is the initial position (m)
  • p2 is the final position (m)

To calculate the acceleration from position, square the change in velocity, then divide by the product of 2 times the difference of position.

What are the units for Position to Acceleration?

The most common units for Position to Acceleration are m/s^2.

How to Calculate Position to Acceleration?

Example Problem:

The following example problem outlines the steps and information needed to calculate the Position to Acceleration.

First, determine the change in velocity. In this example, the change in velocity is determined to be 4 (m/s).

Next, determine the initial position. For this problem, the initial position is measured to be 20 (m).

Next, determine the final position. In this case, the final position is found to be 400 (m).

Finally, calculate the Position to Acceleration using the formula above: 

A = dV^2 / (2*(p2-p1) )

Inserting the values from above and solving the equation with the imputed values gives: A = 4^2 / (2*(400-20) ) = .021 (m/s^2)

FAQ

What is the importance of calculating acceleration from position?

Calculating acceleration from position is crucial in physics and engineering because it helps in understanding the motion of objects. It allows for the prediction of future positions and velocities, the design of safer vehicles and structures by understanding how they accelerate under various conditions, and the improvement of performance in sports and other activities by analyzing motion.

Can the Position to Acceleration formula be used for any type of motion?

The Position to Acceleration formula is generally used for uniformly accelerated motion, where the acceleration is constant over time. For motions involving variable acceleration, more complex calculus-based methods are typically required to accurately calculate acceleration from position.

How does the change in velocity affect the acceleration calculated using the Position to Acceleration formula?

The change in velocity (dV) directly influences the acceleration calculated using the Position to Acceleration formula. A larger change in velocity over a given distance will result in a higher acceleration value, indicating a faster rate of speed change. Conversely, a smaller change in velocity suggests a lower acceleration, indicating a slower rate of speed change. This relationship is crucial for understanding how objects speed up or slow down over distances.