Unit of Acceleration - Definition, Examples, Types, FAQs

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 05:02 PM IST

Here, in this article we are going to discuss the SI unit of acceleration, unit of acceleration, CGS unit of acceleration, MKS unit of acceleration, what is the SI unit of acceleration, what is the unit of acceleration, what si unit of acceleration is, SI unit of measurement of acceleration is, what unit of acceleration is, what the unit of acceleration is, what is unit of acceleration, write the unit of acceleration, write SI unit of acceleration, acceleration cgs unit, SI and CGS unit of acceleration, the SI unit for acceleration is, and the magnitude of the acceleration.

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What is the SI unit of acceleration?
What is the unit of acceleration?
Dimensional unit of acceleration
Uniform acceleration
Non-Uniform Acceleration
Instantaneous acceleration
All the unit of acceleration
Some Examples

Unit of Acceleration - Definition, Examples, Types, FAQs

What is the SI unit of acceleration?

The SI unit of acceleration is meter per squared second or.

Mathematically, the acceleration and the SI unit of acceleration can be written as

Also read -

What is the unit of acceleration?

Acceleration can be defined as the change of the rate of velocity. Hence, the unit of acceleration is.

CGS unit of acceleration

The CGS unit of acceleration is

MKS unit of acceleration

The MKS unit of acceleration is.

Now let us learn more about the acceleration.

We know that the rate of change of velocity is defined as the acceleration. It is a vector quantity. When we compare force and acceleration then we get a relation between mass and force. Using that relation we get acceleration as Force per unit mass and the corresponding unit of acceleration becomes.

Mathematically, the unit of acceleration can be expressed as,

Dimensional unit of acceleration

Dimensionally, unit of acceleration can be represented as,

Acceleration =

Average acceleration of a particle in a time interval is defined as the change in velocity divided by the time interval. Let and be the instantaneous velocities of particle at times and , then the average acceleration can be written as follows:

In case of straight line motion when the velocity and acceleration both are directed along the same direction or have the same sign then magnitude of velocity increases and such kind of motion is called accelerated motion. When velocity and acceleration are along the opposite directions or are having opposite signs then magnitude of velocity decreases with time and such kind of motion is called retarding motion. Let and represent velocity and acceleration at some instant of time then we can write the following:

If and , both are positive then the particle is accelerated. If and , both are negative then also particles are accelerated.
If is positive and is negative then particle is retarded.

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Uniform acceleration

It can be defined as when a body is in motion and the equal amount of velocity changes in equal intervals of time. For example:- a freely falling object

Non-Uniform Acceleration

When a body is in motion and changes unequal amount of velocity in equal intervals of time is known as non-uniform acceleration. For example:- Vehicles moving on a road frequently change its velocity ultimately changing its acceleration.

Instantaneous acceleration

Instantaneous acceleration is defined as the limiting value of average acceleration when the time interval is infinitesimally small. Mathematically, it can be represented as

When a body moves in a circular path, it can have three different types of accelerations.

1. Angular acceleration: and the unit of acceleration is . It is an angular quantity.

2. Tangential acceleration: and the unit of acceleration is . It is a linear quantity.

3. Centripetal acceleration: and the unit of acceleration is . It is a linear quantity.

All the unit of acceleration

1. SI unit of acceleration:-

2. CGS unit of acceleration:-

3. MKS unit of acceleration:-

4. Angular acceleration:-

5. Tangential acceleration:-

6. Centripetal acceleration:-

Also Read:

Some Examples

Q.1 A motorcyclist starts from rest and accelerates to a speed of 60 km/hr in 50s, on a straight road. Calculate the distance covered by the motorcyclist in this time.

Sol) Here, initial velocity,

Time, s

Final velocity, km/h = m/s

Now, using , we have

Distance, =

Q.2) A truck starts from rest and accelerates uniformly to a velocity of 40m/s in 10 s. It then runs with this uniform velocity and is finally brought to rest in 50 m by a uniform deceleration. If the total run of the truck is 500 m, find its acceleration, deceleration and total time of journey.

Sol) When the truck has uniform acceleration after starting from rest:

m/s, s, m/s

Using, , we have

Distance travelled,

When the truck runs with uniform velocity:

Let distance covered is in this case. If is the distance covered during deceleration, then,

This distance is covered with a uniform velocity of

Therefore, time taken =

When the truck is finally brought to rest:

, ,

Therefore,

Retardation =

Also,

Hence, the total time taken for the journey =

Also check-

NCERT Physics Notes:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the dimensional unit of acceleration?

The dimensional unit of acceleration is.

2. What is the difference between the accelerating motion and retarding motion?

3. Differentiate between uniform and non-uniform acceleration.

When a body is in motion and changes equal velocities in equal time intervals then it is known as uniform acceleration. On the contrary, when a body which is in motion, and changes unequal velocities in equal intervals of time, then it is said to be in non-uniform motion.

4. What's the difference between linear and angular acceleration?

Linear acceleration refers to the rate of change of linear velocity in a straight line, measured in m/s². Angular acceleration refers to the rate of change of angular velocity in rotational motion, measured in radians per second squared (rad/s²).

5. What's the difference between acceleration and g-force?

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, measured in m/s². G-force is a measure of the type of acceleration that causes weight, typically expressed in multiples of Earth's standard gravity (1g = 9.8 m/s²). G-force can be caused by both linear acceleration and centripetal acceleration.

6. How does the concept of acceleration help in understanding the behavior of particles in accelerators?

In particle accelerators, understanding acceleration is crucial. Particles are accelerated to very high speeds using electromagnetic fields. The relativistic effects of high acceleration must be taken into account, including the increase in mass and the limitation of not being able to reach the speed of light.

7. What's the role of acceleration in understanding tidal forces?

Tidal forces arise from differential acceleration due to gravity across an extended object. For example, the moon's gravity accelerates the near side of Earth slightly more than the far side, causing tidal bulges. Understanding acceleration is key to explaining these effects.

8. What's the difference between average acceleration and instantaneous acceleration?

Average acceleration is calculated over a period of time, while instantaneous acceleration is the acceleration at a specific moment. Average acceleration gives a general trend, while instantaneous acceleration provides a precise value at an exact point in time.

9. Can acceleration occur without a change in speed?

Yes, acceleration can occur without a change in speed if there's a change in direction. This is called centripetal acceleration, which occurs in circular motion where the speed remains constant but the velocity (which includes direction) changes.

10. How is acceleration calculated?

Acceleration is calculated by dividing the change in velocity by the time taken for that change. The formula is a = (v - u) / t, where a is acceleration, v is final velocity, u is initial velocity, and t is time.

11. How does acceleration affect the kinetic energy of an object?

Acceleration increases the kinetic energy of an object. Kinetic energy is proportional to the square of velocity (KE = ½mv²), so as acceleration increases velocity, it causes a quadratic increase in kinetic energy.

12. How does acceleration affect stopping distance?

Higher acceleration (or deceleration) reduces stopping distance. The total stopping distance is the sum of the reaction distance (distance traveled during the driver's reaction time) and the braking distance. Stronger brakes provide higher deceleration, reducing the braking distance.

13. What's the difference between uniform and non-uniform acceleration?

Uniform acceleration is when the rate of change of velocity remains constant over time, like an object in free fall (ignoring air resistance). Non-uniform acceleration occurs when the rate of change of velocity varies, like a car accelerating and then slowing down in traffic.

14. How does air resistance affect acceleration?

Air resistance opposes the motion of an object through air, reducing its acceleration. For objects falling under gravity, air resistance eventually balances the gravitational force, leading to a constant velocity called terminal velocity.

15. How is acceleration related to force?

Acceleration is directly related to force through Newton's Second Law of Motion: F = ma, where F is force, m is mass, and a is acceleration. This means that the acceleration of an object is proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.

16. What's the significance of the area under a velocity-time graph?

The area under a velocity-time graph represents the displacement of the object. If the graph shows acceleration (changing velocity), the area gives the total distance traveled during that time period.

17. What's the difference between acceleration and jerk?

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time, while jerk is the rate of change of acceleration with respect to time. Jerk is the third derivative of position with respect to time, or the derivative of acceleration.

18. Can an object have constant velocity but non-zero acceleration?

No, if an object has constant velocity, its acceleration must be zero. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, so if velocity isn't changing, there's no acceleration.

19. Can an object have zero velocity but non-zero acceleration?

Yes, an object can have zero velocity and non-zero acceleration. This occurs at the moment when an object changes direction, such as at the highest point of a ball's trajectory when thrown upwards.

20. Can acceleration be negative?

Yes, acceleration can be negative. Negative acceleration occurs when an object is slowing down or changing direction. It doesn't necessarily mean the object is moving backwards, just that its velocity is decreasing.

21. What's the acceleration due to gravity on Earth?

The acceleration due to gravity on Earth's surface is approximately 9.8 m/s². This means that, in the absence of air resistance, an object in free fall will increase its velocity by 9.8 m/s every second.

22. What's the difference between speed and acceleration?

Speed is the rate at which an object covers distance, while acceleration is the rate at which an object's velocity changes. Speed is a scalar quantity (magnitude only), while acceleration is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).

23. Can an object have constant acceleration but varying velocity?

Yes, an object can have constant acceleration but varying velocity. This occurs during uniform acceleration, where velocity changes at a constant rate. For example, an object in free fall (ignoring air resistance) has constant acceleration due to gravity but its velocity continuously increases.

24. How does the slope of a velocity-time graph relate to acceleration?

The slope of a velocity-time graph at any point represents the instantaneous acceleration at that moment. A constant slope indicates uniform acceleration, while a changing slope indicates non-uniform acceleration.

25. What's the difference between acceleration and deceleration?

Acceleration is any change in velocity, whether increasing or decreasing. Deceleration is often used in everyday language to mean a decrease in speed, but in physics, it's just negative acceleration - acceleration in the opposite direction of motion.

26. Can an object have acceleration without any forces acting on it?

No, according to Newton's Second Law, acceleration requires a net force. If there are no forces acting on an object, or if all forces are balanced, the object will have zero acceleration and will either remain at rest or continue moving at a constant velocity.

27. How does acceleration relate to momentum?

Acceleration changes an object's velocity, which in turn changes its momentum. Momentum is the product of mass and velocity (p = mv), so as acceleration changes velocity, it directly affects the object's momentum.

28. What is the standard unit of acceleration?

The standard unit of acceleration in the International System of Units (SI) is meters per second squared (m/s²). This unit represents the rate of change of velocity over time.

29. Why is acceleration measured in m/s² and not just m/s?

Acceleration is measured in m/s² because it represents the change in velocity (m/s) over time (s). The additional "per second" accounts for the time factor, showing how quickly velocity changes.

30. How does mass affect acceleration?

Mass is inversely proportional to acceleration when a constant force is applied. This means that for the same force, objects with greater mass will accelerate less than objects with smaller mass, as described by Newton's Second Law (F = ma).

31. What's the relationship between displacement, velocity, and acceleration?

Displacement is the change in position, velocity is the rate of change of displacement with time, and acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with time. Mathematically, velocity is the first derivative of displacement, and acceleration is the second derivative of displacement or the first derivative of velocity.

32. How does acceleration relate to Newton's First Law of Motion?

Newton's First Law states that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. Acceleration is the result of an unbalanced force acting on an object, causing it to change its state of motion, thus overcoming its inertia as described in the First Law.

33. What's the difference between proper acceleration and coordinate acceleration?

Proper acceleration is the acceleration experienced by an object, measurable by an accelerometer. Coordinate acceleration is the acceleration observed in a particular frame of reference. In free fall, an object has zero proper acceleration but non-zero coordinate acceleration relative to the ground.

34. How does relativistic physics affect our understanding of acceleration?

In relativistic physics, as objects approach the speed of light, classical concepts of acceleration break down. The energy required to accelerate an object increases asymptotically as its speed approaches the speed of light, making it impossible to accelerate a massive object to light speed.

35. How does acceleration affect time dilation in special relativity?

According to special relativity, accelerated motion causes time dilation. An accelerating object will experience time passing more slowly compared to a stationary observer. This effect becomes significant at very high accelerations or over long periods of accelerated motion.

36. How does the principle of equivalence in general relativity relate to acceleration?

Einstein's principle of equivalence states that the effects of gravity are indistinguishable from the effects of acceleration in a small region of spacetime. This means that an accelerating frame of reference is equivalent to a gravitational field, forming a cornerstone of general relativity.

37. What's the significance of proper acceleration in general relativity?

Proper acceleration is the acceleration measured by an accelerometer carried by the object. In general relativity, it's significant because it's invariant - all observers agree on its value, unlike coordinate acceleration which can vary depending on the chosen reference frame.

38. What's the relationship between acceleration and force in quantum mechanics?

In quantum mechanics, the relationship between force and acceleration becomes probabilistic. The Ehrenfest theorem shows that the expectation values of position and momentum in quantum mechanics follow classical trajectories, maintaining a connection to classical concepts of force and acceleration.

39. How does acceleration relate to the concept of proper time in relativity?

Proper time is the time measured by a clock traveling with an object. Acceleration affects the rate at which proper time passes relative to coordinate time (time measured by a stationary observer). This leads to effects like time dilation in accelerated reference frames.

40. What's the role of acceleration in understanding the equivalence principle in general relativity?

The equivalence principle states that the effects of gravity are indistinguishable from the effects of acceleration in a small region of spacetime. This principle led Einstein to realize that gravity could be described as the curvature of spacetime, forming the basis of general relativity.

41. What are some real-life examples of acceleration?

Real-life examples of acceleration include: a car speeding up from a stop light, a roller coaster descending a steep drop, an elevator starting its ascent or descent, a skydiver reaching terminal velocity, and a rocket launching into space.

42. How does the concept of acceleration apply to circular motion?

In circular motion, even at constant speed, there is acceleration towards the center of the circle. This centripetal acceleration changes the direction of velocity vector continuously, maintaining the circular path. Its magnitude is v²/r, where v is velocity and r is the radius of the circle.

43. What's the relationship between acceleration and time in free fall?

In free fall (ignoring air resistance), acceleration due to gravity is constant at about 9.8 m/s². This means that for each second of fall, the object's velocity increases by 9.8 m/s, regardless of its mass or initial velocity.

44. How does acceleration affect the apparent weight of an object in an elevator?

When an elevator accelerates upward, the apparent weight of an object inside increases because the floor exerts an extra force to accelerate it. When the elevator accelerates downward, the apparent weight decreases. At constant velocity or at rest, the apparent weight equals the actual weight.

45. How does the concept of acceleration apply to waves?

In wave motion, acceleration refers to the rate of change of the wave's velocity. This can occur when waves travel through different media or when the properties of the medium change. For example, water waves accelerate as they approach a shore due to decreasing depth.

46. What's the relationship between acceleration and work done?

Work is done when a force causes displacement. Acceleration results from a net force, so if this force causes displacement, work is done. The work-energy theorem states that the work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy, which is directly related to its change in velocity (and thus, acceleration).

47. What's the difference between acceleration in kinematics and dynamics?

In kinematics, acceleration is simply described as the rate of change of velocity, without considering the causes. In dynamics, acceleration is linked to the forces causing it through Newton's Second Law, providing a deeper understanding of why and how objects accelerate.

48. What's the role of acceleration in simple harmonic motion?

In simple harmonic motion, like a pendulum or a spring, acceleration is always directed towards the equilibrium position and is proportional to the displacement from that position. This results in the characteristic back-and-forth oscillation.

49. How does acceleration affect the Doppler effect?

Acceleration can cause a changing Doppler effect. As an accelerating source approaches an observer, the frequency of waves (like sound or light) increases more rapidly than with constant velocity. When the source accelerates away, the frequency decreases more rapidly.

50. How does acceleration relate to the concept of inertial frames of reference?

An inertial frame of reference is one in which Newton's laws of motion hold true. Accelerating frames are non-inertial, meaning that in these frames, objects appear to experience fictitious forces. Understanding acceleration is crucial for distinguishing between inertial and non-inertial frames.

51. How does acceleration affect the twin paradox in special relativity?

The twin paradox involves one twin accelerating to high speed and returning, aging less than the stationary twin. The acceleration is crucial - it breaks the symmetry between the twins' reference frames, resolving the apparent paradox and explaining why the traveling twin ages less.

52. How does the concept of acceleration apply to fluid dynamics?

In fluid dynamics, acceleration describes how the velocity of fluid particles changes with time or position. This includes both linear and angular acceleration. The Navier-Stokes equations, which describe fluid motion, include acceleration terms that are crucial for understanding phenomena like turbulence and vorticity.

53. What's the significance of acceleration in understanding black holes?

Near a black hole, extreme gravitational acceleration causes significant time dilation and space curvature. The event horizon of a black hole can be thought of as the surface where the escape velocity equals the speed of light, requiring infinite acceleration to escape.