Average and

Instantaneous
Acceleration
Learning Competencies
The learners
• Convert a verbal description of a physical
situation involving uniform acceleration in one
dimension into a mathematical description
(STEM_GP12Kin-Ib-12)
• Recognize whether or not a physical situation
involves constant velocity or constant
acceleration (STEM_GP12KIN-Ib-13)
Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, I can;
• 1.Define acceleration
• 2.Value the importance of acceleration in
showing the motion of a moving body
• 3.Solve problems involving acceleration
Average Acceleration
••  
Acceleration – rate of change of velocity
• Velocity will change by changing magnitude,
change in direction, change in both magnitude
and direction
Instantaneous Acceleration
• the limit of the average acceleration as the time
interval approaches zero
• equals the derivative of velocity with time
•Suppose
  the x-velocity of the car at any time t is given by
the equation

(a) Find the change in x-velocity of the car in the time

interval t1 = 1.0 s to t2 = 3.0 s. (b) Find the average x-
acceleration in this time interval. (c) Derive an expression
for the instantaneous x-acceleration as a function of
time, and use it to find ax at t = 1.0 s and t = 3.0 s.
A car’s velocity as a function of time is given by
vx(t) = α + βt2,
where α = 3.00 m/s and β = 0.100 m/s3.
(a) Calculate the average acceleration for the time
interval t = 0 to t = 5.00 s.
(b) Calculate the instantaneous acceleration for t= 0 and
t = 5.00 s.
The position of an object as a function of time t is given by
x = 5.0 m – (2.0 m/s)t + (3.5 m/s3)t3
(a) Find the average velocity of the object for the time
intervals of t = 1.0 s to t = 4.0 s
(b) What is the instantaneous velocity of the object at t =
1.0 s and t = 4.0s?
(c) Find the average acceleration of the object at the time
intervals of t = 1.0 s to t = 4.0 s
(d) What is the instantaneous acceleration for the object at
t = 1.0 s and t = 4.0 s?
The position of an object as a function of time t is given
by
x = 28.0 m + (12.4 m/s)t - (0.0450 m/s3)t3
(a) Find the average velocity of the object for the time
intervals of t = 1.0 s to t = 3.0 s
(b) Find the average acceleration of the object at the time
intervals of t = 1.0 s to t = 3.0 s
(c) What is the instantaneous acceleration for the object
at t = 1.0 s and t = 3.0 s?