Math 2.0

Mechanics of particles and systems Kinematics Concept

Acceleration

Builds on VelocitySecond derivative

Summary

The acceleration of a moving point is the rate of change of its velocity with respect to time. It is the second derivative of the position. Newton's second law ties acceleration to force, so acceleration is the link between the description of motion and its causes. A point accelerates when its speed changes and also when only its direction changes.

Reading path

To understand this page from the ground up, read these 5 pages in order. The foundations come first.

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Derivative, concept, no evidence levelDerivativeconceptEuclidean vector, concept, no evidence levelEuclidean vectorconceptSecond derivative, concept, no evidence levelSecond derivativeconceptVelocity, concept, no evidence levelVelocityconceptAcceleration, concept, no evidence levelAccelerationconcept
Each page uses the pages above it. The colour of the bar on a box shows how strong the evidence is, and the box also gives it as text. The list has the same pages.
  • no evidence level
  1. Derivative concept
  2. Euclidean vector concept
  3. Second derivative concept
  4. Velocity concept
  5. Acceleration concept

Where this leads

8 pages build on this one.

Further reading

  1. Web https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acceleration
About this page
TagQ8D2JWY8G6
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Kindconcept
WritingW0 stub
MSC70B05
UsesVelocity, Second derivative
Same as
Changed3 November 2026

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