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Accelerator vs Acceleration - What's the difference?

accelerator | acceleration |

In physics terms the difference between accelerator and acceleration

is that accelerator is a device that accelerates charged subatomic particles while acceleration is the change of velocity with respect to time (can include deceleration or changing direction).

As nouns the difference between accelerator and acceleration

is that accelerator is one who, or that which, accelerates while acceleration is the act of accelerating, or the state of being accelerated; increase of motion or action; as opposed to retardation or deceleration.

accelerator

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • One who, or that which, accelerates.
  • A device for causing acceleration.
  • (chemistry) A substance which speeds up chemical reactions.
  • (vehicle) An accelerator pedal.
  • (photography) A chemical that reduces development time.
  • (physics) A device that accelerates charged subatomic particles.
  • (physiology, medical) A muscle or nerve that speed the performance of an action.
  • (computing) accelerator key
  • * 2002 , Davis Howard Chapman, Sams Teach Yourself Visual C++ .NET in 21 Days (page 187)
    • If they had allowed single-character accelerators , Windows wouldn't be able to determine whether the character was input or a shortcut.

    Synonyms

    * (sense) gas pedal, gas * (accelerates subatomic particles) particle accelerator, atom smasher

    Derived terms

    * accelerator pedal, (automotive): a pedal used to control a vehicle's speed * accelerator nerves, (physiology): nerves that speed up a bodily function * accelerator card, (computers): a device that speeds up computer processing * accelerator key, (computers): a key which a user can press to activate a menu or other element * particle accelerator

    acceleration

    English

    Alternative forms

    * *

    Noun

  • (uncountable) The act of accelerating, or the state of being accelerated; increase of motion or action; as opposed to retardation or deceleration.
    • a falling body moves toward the earth with an acceleration of velocity
  • (countable) The amount by which a speed or velocity increases (and so a scalar quantity or a vector quantity).
    • The boosters produce an acceleration of 20 metres per second per second.
  • * (rfdate)
    • A period of social improvement, or of intellectual advancement, contains within itself a principle of acceleration
  • (physics) The change of velocity with respect to time (can include deceleration or changing direction).
  • The advancement of students at a rate that places them ahead of where they would be in the regular school curriculum.

    • Usage notes

    Acceleration in SI units is measured in metres per second per second (m/s2), or in imperial units in feet per second per second (ft/s2).

    Antonyms

    * deceleration, retardation

    See also

    * displacement * velocity * jerk

    References

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