Physics
Confusing Velocity and Acceleration
Assuming large velocity means large acceleration, or that zero velocity means zero acceleration.
Quick check
Why students make it
Both describe motion and are easy to blur together. Acceleration is about how velocity changes, not how big it is.
The rule done right
Velocity is how fast position changes. Acceleration is how fast velocity changes. An object can move fast at constant velocity with zero acceleration, or be momentarily at rest while still accelerating.
Related resources
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Speed, Velocity & Acceleration Infographic -
Physics: Average vs Instantaneous Velocity Infographic -
Physics: Reading Acceleration-Time Graphs Infographic -
Physics: Uniform vs Non-Uniform Acceleration Infographic -
Physics: The Kinematic Equations Infographic - Kinematics Equations Cheat Sheet
- Free Fall & Gravitational Acceleration Cheat Sheet
- Newton's Laws & Forces Cheat Sheet
- AP Physics 1 Formula Sheet Cheat Sheet
- AP Physics C Mechanics Formula Sheet Cheat Sheet
- Kinematics: Velocity, Acceleration, and Motion Graphs Worksheet
- Physics: Kinematics: Velocity-Time and Position-Time Graphs Worksheet
- Science: Newtons Laws of Motion Worksheet
- Science: Free Body Diagrams Worksheet
- Science: Projectile Motion Worksheet
- Kinematics Solver Tool
- Forces & Free-Body Diagram Tool Tool
- Projectile Motion Calculator Tool
- AP Physics FRQ Simulator Tool
- Balanced Forces Lab Lab
- Atwood Machine Lab Lab
- Graph Analysis Lab Lab