Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity with time
a = Δv/Δt
Like displacement and velocity, acceleration is a vector quantity i.e it has direction as well as magnitude
Therefore a = (v -u)/(t2-t1)
Variations on how you may see the equation written
We would normally begin timing when the object is just starting to accelerate from its initial velocity so t1= 0
In this case we would just use t to represent the final time (rather than t2).
So we would commonly see the equation written as
a = (v -u)/(t)
For examples where the initial velocity (u) is zero we would just write
a = v/t
Note in "everyday language" acceleration is often taken to mean increase in speed. It is important to note that in Physics the correct definition of rate of change of velocity covers increase in speed, decrease in speed and change in direction (remember velocity is a vector quantity it has a specific direction so if direction changes then velocity has changed). (The term deceleration can still be used which specifically refers to a change in velocity caused by a decrease in speed.)
Example 1
The velocity of an object is 2ms-1 when the time is 2 seconds and increases to 14ms-1 when the time is 5 seconds.
What is it's acceleration?
u = 2ms-1
v = 14ms-1
t1 = 2s
t2 = 5s
a= Δv/Δt
a = (v - u)/(t2 - t1) = 12/3 = 4ms-2
Example 2
The velocity of an object increases from 4ms-1 to 16ms-1 in 24 seconds. What is it's acceleration?
u = 4ms-1
v = 16ms-1
t = 24s
a= Δv/Δt
a = (v - u)/(t) = 12/24= 0.5ms-2
Example 1
The velocity of an initially stationary object increases to 3ms-1 in 0.5 seconds. What is its acceleration?
v = 3ms-1
t = 0.5s
a= v/t
a = 3/0.5 =6ms-2
