The velocity of an object at time t1 is v1, and at time t2, it becomes v2. The average acceleration of the object in that time-interval is:

The Correct answer is (v2 - v1) / (t2 - t1).

Key Points

• Average acceleration is defined as the change in velocity divided by the time interval during which the change occurs.
• The formula for average acceleration is: a_avg = (v2 - v1) / (t2 - t1), where:
  • v1 is the initial velocity of the object.
  • v2 is the final velocity of the object.
  • t1 is the initial time.
  • t2 is the final time.
• The correct formula, (v2 - v1) / (t2 - t1), ensures that both the change in velocity and the change in time are appropriately considered.
• This formula applies to scenarios of uniform or non-uniform acceleration over the given time interval.
• The SI unit of average acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).
• Average acceleration gives a measure of how quickly the velocity of an object changes over a period of time.