Okuzeka
Physics vocabulary · Motion and Forces

Acceleration

Meaning in physics, with examples

/əkˌseləˈreɪʃən/nounCore term

In physics, acceleration means: The rate at which an object's velocity changes over time. It can mean speeding up, slowing down or changing direction, and it is measured in metres per second squared (m/s²).

In Turkish: ivme

How it is used

Appears in the kinematics equations and in F = ma. Common phrases: constant (uniform) acceleration, acceleration due to gravity (g ≈ 9.8 m/s²), centripetal acceleration. Read m/s² aloud as 'metres per second squared'.

Example sentences

  1. Near the Earth's surface, the acceleration due to gravity is about 9.8 m/s².

  2. The graph shows constant acceleration for the first four seconds; after that the cyclist moves at a steady speed.

Common collocations

  • constant acceleration
  • acceleration due to gravity
  • centripetal acceleration
  • average acceleration
  • calculate the acceleration
  • velocityHow fast an object moves in a particular direction. It is speed with a direction, so it is a vector, measured in metres per second (m/s).
  • forceA push or a pull that can change how an object moves or change its shape. It has both size and direction and is measured in newtons (N).
  • Newton's laws of motionThree basic laws that describe how forces affect motion: an object keeps its state of motion unless a net force acts, net force equals mass times acceleration, and every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
  • gravityThe attractive force that every mass exerts on every other mass. On Earth it pulls objects towards the centre of the planet and gives them weight.
  • centripetal forceThe net force that keeps an object moving in a circle, always pointing towards the centre of the circle. It equals mv²/r.

More terms: Motion and Forces

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: