A car accelerates in 12s from 10m/s to 50m/s. Calculate its acceleration.

Firstly, write down the information you know. 

S (displacement) - unknown 

U (inital speed) - 10m/s

V (final speed) - 50m/s

A (acceleration) - we want to find this out

T (time) - 12s

The equation that links acceleration and the other knowns in this scenario is:

v = u + at 

Rearrange to form:

a = (v - u) / t

Now you can substitute in the values. 

a = (50 - 10) / 12

a = 40/12 

a = 3.333 

Therefore the car's acceleration is 3.33m/s2 (make sure you remember the correct units!). 

YA
Answered by Yasmin A. Physics tutor

4400 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Imagine a probe in space. Argon gas can be fired from the probes fuel tanks to propel the probe. Discuss whether conservation of momentum applies and whether the speed of the probe increases.


Why do rays of light change direction as they pass from air to a glass block?


In an isolated container contains 1kg of ice at 0 oC. 1kg of warm water (323K) is poured into the container. How much ice (in kgs) remains after the system returns to thermal equilibrium? (by the end of the process?)


A bowling ball is thrown into the alley, having velocity of 3 ms^-1 at the start of the bowling alley. It decelerates at a constant rate, before hitting the skittles at 2 ms^-1 after 4 s A) calculate the acceleration of the ball.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning