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Vertical Acceleration Formula:
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Vertical acceleration is the rate of change of vertical velocity over time. It measures how quickly an object's vertical speed is increasing or decreasing, typically measured in meters per second squared (m/s²).
The calculator uses the vertical acceleration formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the average vertical acceleration by dividing the change in vertical velocity by the time taken for that change.
Details: Calculating vertical acceleration is crucial in physics, engineering, and sports science for analyzing projectile motion, free-fall objects, and various mechanical systems involving vertical movement.
Tips: Enter final vertical velocity and initial vertical velocity in m/s, and time in seconds. Time must be greater than zero. All values should use consistent units.
Q1: What does negative vertical acceleration indicate?
A: Negative vertical acceleration typically indicates deceleration (slowing down) in the upward direction or acceleration downward due to gravity.
Q2: How is vertical acceleration different from horizontal acceleration?
A: Vertical acceleration specifically deals with motion in the vertical direction (up/down), while horizontal acceleration deals with motion along the horizontal plane.
Q3: What is the typical value of gravitational acceleration?
A: The standard acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s² downward near Earth's surface.
Q4: Can vertical acceleration be constant?
A: Yes, in free-fall motion (neglecting air resistance), vertical acceleration remains constant at approximately 9.8 m/s² downward.
Q5: How does air resistance affect vertical acceleration?
A: Air resistance reduces the magnitude of vertical acceleration, particularly for objects with large surface areas or at high velocities.