FIVE FACTS ON
ACCELERATION
• If an object is speeding up we say that it is
accelerating.
• If an object is slowing down we say that it is
decelerating.
• Acceleration tells us how many metres per second
its speed increases by every second.
• Acceleration = change in velocity
time
• Acceleration is measured in metres per second
squared (m/s2).
QUESTION 1
• A carrot’s speed increases from 5 m/s to 20 m/s in a
time of 3 seconds. What is the carrot’s
acceleration?
• Acceleration = change in velocity
time
• Acceleration = 15 / 3
• Acceleration = 5 m/s2
QUESTION 2
• A mouse slows down from 70 m/s to 30 m/s in 4
seconds. What is the deceleration of the mouse?
• Acceleration = change in velocity
time
• Acceleration = - 40 / 4
• Acceleration = - 10 m/s2
QUESTION 3
A small cauliflower falls in a tragic manner.
If the acceleration due to gravity is 10 m/s2,
what is the speed of Mr. Cauliflower after
4.5 seconds?
•Change in velocity = acceleration x time
•Change in velocity = 10 x 4.5
•Change in velocity = 45 m/s
ACCELERATION
QUESTIONS!
1. A fly called Gerald accelerates from 12 m/s to 18 m/s in 0.25
seconds, calculate his acceleration.
2. A car accelerates from rest to a velocity of 22 m/s in a time of
5 seconds. What is the acceleration of the car?
3. A meteorite decelerates from 20000 m/s to 0 m/s in 0.1
seconds. Calculate the deceleration of the meteorite.
4. If a formula one car accelerated at 20 m/s2, how fast would it
be moving after 6 seconds?
5. If a space craft travelling at 3500 m/s accelerates at 3000 m/s2
for 0.5 seconds, what is it’s new speed?