What is deceleration in Physics?

In physics terms, deceleration is the rate at which something slows down. It's like the opposite of acceleration, but instead of a positive "push," it's a negative "pull" that slows things down. We measure it in meters per second squared (m/s²), just like acceleration, but with a minus sign (-a) because it's slowing down.

So, if a car goes from 80 km/h to 60 km/h in 5 seconds, its deceleration is -4 km/h/s (it's negative because it's slowing down!). The bigger the minus sign, the faster the slowing down!

Here are some examples of deceleration in everyday life:

• Braking your bike: That's pushing against the wheels to slow down.

• Throwing a ball in the air: Gravity pulls it back down, causing it to decelerate.

• Sitting in a chair: Friction between your shoes and the floor keeps you from sliding backward.

Deceleration is important in lots of things, from keeping cars safe to understanding how rockets land. So next time you feel yourself slowing down, remember, you're experiencing deceleration!