How do acceleration and velocity differ

As acceleration is a vector quantity by nature, having both magnitude and direction. Thus it can be the result of a change in either speed, direction or both. A free-falling object exhibits uniform acceleration. However, a vehicle with varying speed in equal time interval is said to possess non-uniform acceleration. Both velocity and acceleration are vector units thus are associated with a magnitude as well as direction.

Along with this both the values can be positive , negative or zero depending upon change. So, this whole discussion concludes that velocity is not an outcome of acceleration as an object with velocity may or may not have acceleration.

But acceleration is surely an outcome of velocity as an object with acceleration must have variable velocity. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Skip to content Both velocity and acceleration are the two major terminologies associated with the motion of objects. Key Differences Between Velocity and Acceleration The key factor of differentiation between velocity and acceleration is that velocity defines the rate with which an object varies its position. While acceleration is defined as the rate with which velocity of the object changes during motion.

Velocity is given as the ratio of change in position with time. However, acceleration is the ratio of change in velocity with respect to time. The product of mass and velocity of a moving object is momentum. Whereas the product of mass and acceleration gives the value of applied force on the object. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object.

They are both vector quantities i. Velocity is the distance an object has moved in a particular direction within a specified time interval.

If the object returns to its starting position then the velocity is zero. This video explains how to calculate average velocity over a constant acceleration:. Instantaneous acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the duration of the interval d t :. Therefore the SI unit of acceleration is meter per second per second, i. This video explains how to calculate acceleration using the example of a Porsche.

If an object is moving at constant speed in a circular motion -- such as a satellite orbiting the earth -- it is said to be accelerating because change in direction of motion means its velocity is changing even if speed may be constant. See Speed vs Velocity This is called centripetal directed towards the center acceleration.

On the other hand, if the direction of motion of the object is not changing but its speed is, this is called tangential acceleration. How can I calculate the change of velocity? How do speed and velocity differ from each other? How do displacement and distance differ?

Can displacement be negative? Can velocity be zero if accelerating? Explain why displacement is a vector quantity? How is velocity different from speed?