'MCAT Mnemonics Practice Test 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Mastering Exam Success!'

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In the equation for calculating distance, X, which term represents the acceleration component?

1/2 AT^2

The term that represents the acceleration component in the equation for calculating distance is indeed 1/2 AT^2. This expression comes from the kinematic equations of motion, which describe the relationship between distance, initial velocity, time, and acceleration.

In this context, "A" stands for acceleration, while "T" represents time. The 1/2 factor is included because the distance covered during a time interval under constant acceleration is not just the product of acceleration and time squared, but rather half of that product over the time squared. This is due to the fact that an object starting from rest (or any initial velocity) accelerates, causing the average velocity during that time interval to be lower than the final velocity.

The other terms represent different aspects of motion: V(initial)T describes the distance covered at the initial velocity over time, V(final) represents the speed at the end of the motion without considering the time or how the object reached that speed, and V(initial) is just the initial speed, both of which do not incorporate the effect of acceleration on the distance traveled. Therefore, 1/2 AT^2 is the correct choice as it directly accounts for the effect of constant acceleration on the overall distance traveled.

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V(initial)T

V(final)

V(initial)

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