Question

Which equation can be used to solve for acceleration?

Answer 1

There are several equations you can use depending on what quantities you know. These assume constant acceleration.

Kinematic (constant-acceleration) relations
- v = v0 + a t → a = (v − v0)/t
(use when you know initial velocity v0, final velocity v, and time t)
- x = x0 + v0 t + ½ a t^2 → a = 2(x − x0 − v0 t)/t^2
(use when you know displacement, initial velocity, and time)
- v^2 = v0^2 + 2 a (x − x0) → a = (v^2 − v0^2) / (2 (x − x0))
(use when you know velocities and displacement but not time)

Newton’s second law (dynamics)
- F = m a → a = F / m
(use when you know net force F and mass m)

Units of acceleration: m/s^2. If you tell me which quantities you have, I can pick the best equation and solve it for you.