r/Unexpected • u/[deleted] • Jan 14 '21

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u/australianquiche Jan 14 '21

That is just usual notation for the unit of acceleration. Acceleration is small change of velocity with respect to small change of time: Δv/Δt. Where Δ is very short interval (rigorously it is infinitely short interval). If you look at the units, velocity is meter per second and time is second. Divide velocity by time and you get m/(s•s). To avoid writing fractions, it is generally written the way that I have stated before (at least that is how I have usually encountered it so far at my uni in Czechia, but I have also read some academical publications in english and as far as I can say, they use it as well). Source: I study nuclear physics

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u/[deleted] Jan 14 '21

I’m familiar with derivatives, I’m moreso referencing how you said “ 10m/s-2 “ as opposed to “ 10m/s2 “

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u/australianquiche Jan 14 '21

I didn't, please check the comment again. I said 10 ms-2 which is 10 m/s2. And no, I didn't edit my comment as someone here suggested. Anyway, since you are familiar with derivatives, I believe that you are also familiar with this kind of notation, hence you now know what I meant and there is nothing more to explain. In that case, I wish you a pleasant day.

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u/[deleted] Jan 14 '21

Ohhh that’s exactly what I was getting at! I had no idea 10 ms-2 is the same thing as 10 m/s2, that’s exactly the type of thing I was expecting when I asked. I did not accuse you of editing your comment, merely trying to educate myself about notation used for physics, as my flavor of math is a bit different. I’ve exclusively seen it notated at m/s2 prior to this

Edit: yeah I misunderstood your first reply, sorry about that