Negative acceleration is the process of slowing down an object’s speed or velocity. It happens when an object is moving in a particular direction and its speed decreases over time.
Negative acceleration is also known as deceleration and is measured in meters per second squared (m/s²).
For instance, when a car brakes to stop, it undergoes negative acceleration as its speed decreases.
The formula for negative acceleration is:
a = (v2 – v1) / t
where:
- a is the negative acceleration;
- v2 is the initial velocity;
- v1 is the final velocity;
- t is the time taken for the object to slow down.
Table of Contents
Daily Life Examples of Negative Acceleration
- A car coming to a stop at a red traffic light.
- An elevator slowing down before it reaches a floor.
- A person jumping from a trampoline and coming to a stop on the ground.
- A bicycle slowing down when the brakes are applied.
- A person slowing down while running and coming to a stop.
- A rollercoaster coming to a stop at the end of the ride.
- A basketball player jumping up to dunk the ball and then landing on the ground.
- A child on a swing slowing down and coming to a stop.
Different Cases of Negative Acceleration
| Example | Initial Velocity | Final Velocity | Time | Acceleration Formula | Acceleration Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car slowing down | 60 mph | 40 mph | 5 seconds | a = (v_f – v_i) / t | -4 mph/s |
| Runner stopping | 10 m/s | 0 m/s | 2 seconds | a = (v_f – v_i) / t | -5 m/s^2 |
| Train stopping | 50 km/h | 0 km/h | 20 seconds | a = (v_f – v_i) / t | -2.5 km/h^2 |
| Rollercoaster | Varies | Varies | Varies | a = (v_f – v_i) / t | Varies |
Multiple Choice Questions
- Which of the following is a synonym for negative acceleration?
A) Acceleration due to gravity
B) Retardation
C) Velocity increase
D) Kinetic energy
Answer: B) Retardation
- An object has an initial velocity of 20 m/s and comes to a stop in 10 seconds. What is its acceleration?
A) -2 m/s^2
B) -4 m/s^2
C) -6 m/s^2
D) -8 m/s^2
Answer: A) -2 m/s^2
- Which of the following is an example of negative acceleration?
A) A ball rolling down a hill
B) A rocket launching into space
C) A car driving at a constant speed on a straight road
D) A person jumping off a diving board
Answer: D) A person jumping off a diving board
- A car is traveling at 50 mph and comes to a stop in 5 seconds. What is its acceleration?
A) -5 mph/s
B) -10 mph/s
C) -15 mph/s
D) -20 mph/s
Answer: D) -20 mph/s
- Which of the following is the correct formula for acceleration?
A) a = v_f / t
B) a = v_i / t
C) a = (v_f – v_i) / t
D) a = m * g
Answer: C) a = (v_f – v_i) / t
More Links
SI Unit of Work| Definition, Formula, and Examples
Uniform Circular Motion| Real-Life Examples
Linear Motion or Rectilinear Motion| Daily Life Examples
Kinematic Equations| Sample Problems and Solutions
Linear Acceleration
PhD Student at University College Dublin and Author at What's Insight
PhD Student who loves to write about science, technology and more. Studying at the University College in Dublin. Hope you enjoy my content.
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