Explain average acceleration and instantaneous acceleration.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
Average acceleration is defined as the time rate of change of velocity over a given time interval.
$\text{Average acceleration} = \frac{\text{Change in velocity}}{\text{Time interval}}$
The average acceleration $\vec{a}$ of an object moving in the $xy$-plane for a time interval $\Delta t$ is the change in velocity divided by the time interval:
$\vec{a} = \frac{\overrightarrow{\Delta v}}{\Delta t} = \frac{\Delta(v_x \hat{i} + v_y \hat{j})}{\Delta t} = \frac{\Delta v_x}{\Delta t} \hat{i} + \frac{\Delta v_y}{\Delta t} \hat{j} = a_x \hat{i} + a_y \hat{j}$
Instantaneous acceleration is the limiting value of the average acceleration as the time interval approaches zero:
$\vec{a} = \lim_{\Delta t \rightarrow 0} \frac{\overrightarrow{\Delta v}}{\Delta t} = \frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}$
Since $\vec{v} = v_x \hat{i} + v_y \hat{j}$,we have:
$\vec{a} = \frac{d}{dt}(v_x \hat{i} + v_y \hat{j}) = \frac{dv_x}{dt} \hat{i} + \frac{dv_y}{dt} \hat{j} = a_x \hat{i} + a_y \hat{j}$
where $a_x = \frac{dv_x}{dt}$ and $a_y = \frac{dv_y}{dt}$.
Furthermore,since $\vec{v} = \frac{d\vec{r}}{dt}$,acceleration can be expressed as the second derivative of position with respect to time:
$\vec{a} = \frac{d\vec{v}}{dt} = \frac{d}{dt}\left(\frac{d\vec{r}}{dt}\right) = \frac{d^2\vec{r}}{dt^2} = \ddot{\vec{r}}$

Explore More

Similar Questions

Explain the position and displacement vectors for a particle moving in a plane using suitable equations.

$A$ particle initially at the origin starts moving in the $xy$-plane with a velocity component $\vec{V} = (6 + 2t) \hat{i} + (4 + 2\sqrt{3}t) \hat{j} \text{ m/s}$. The acceleration of the particle in $\text{m/s}^2$ is ($x, y$ are measured in meters, $t$ in seconds, respectively).

When is it necessary to use vectors?

Write the equations of motion for uniformly accelerated motion in a plane.

The position of a particle is given by $\vec{r} = 3.0 t \hat{i} - 2.0 t^{2} \hat{j} + 4.0 \hat{k} \; m$,where $t$ is in seconds and the coefficients have the proper units for $\vec{r}$ to be in metres.
$(a)$ Find the velocity $\vec{v}$ and acceleration $\vec{a}$ of the particle.
$(b)$ What is the magnitude and direction of velocity of the particle at $t = 2.0 \; s$?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo