Acceleration
Convert between different units of acceleration used in physics, engineering, and astronomy
Acceleration Converter
Convert between different units of acceleration used in physics, engineering, and astronomy
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About Acceleration
Explore acceleration units from physics, engineering, astronomy, and historical contexts
Historical Context
Acceleration measurement has evolved significantly throughout scientific history. Galileo Galilei's experiments in the 17th century laid the groundwork for understanding acceleration, leading to the unit 'Gal' (Galileo) being named after him. The concept of standard gravity (g) emerged as scientists began to understand Earth's gravitational pull. As physics advanced, the need for standardized units led to the adoption of meters per second squared (m/s²) as the SI unit. Different fields developed specialized units - aerospace uses g-forces, geophysics uses Gal and its derivatives, while astronomy employs units suitable for cosmic scales.
Modern Standards
Today, the meter per second squared (m/s²) is the standard SI unit for acceleration. Standard gravity (g = 9.80665 m/s²) is commonly used in aviation, aerospace, and engineering applications. The Gal (1 cm/s²) and its subdivisions remain important in geophysics and geodesy for measuring small gravitational variations. Imperial units like feet per second squared (ft/s²) are still used in some engineering contexts in the United States. In astronomy, units scaled to cosmic distances such as astronomical units per second squared are employed for orbital mechanics. Angular acceleration units like radians per second squared (rad/s²) are essential in rotational dynamics and mechanical engineering.
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Conversion Reference
Quick reference for common acceleration conversions