Which of the following best describes how acceleration is calculated?

Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity over time. In mathematical terms, acceleration calculates how quickly an object's velocity changes, encompassing both speed and direction. The correct formula for this calculation is:

Acceleration = (Final Speed - Initial Speed) / Time

This formula indicates that acceleration is determined by taking the difference between the final speed and the initial speed—representing the change in speed—and then dividing that difference by the time period over which the change occurs. This provides the rate of speed change, measured in units of velocity per unit of time, such as meters per second squared (m/s²).

The other options do not accurately define the relationship between speed, change in speed, and time, either by omitting the necessary division by time or misrepresenting the way speed change should be calculated. Understanding this formula is crucial for analyzing motion in physics, particularly in the context of aviation and the principles of flight dynamics.