---
tags:
  - science/physics
  - mechanical
  - acceleration
  - sensors
  - mems
created: 2026-05-16
breadcrumb: "Physics > Mechanical > Acceleration"
---

# Acceleration

> **Mechanism:** Newton's second law on a proof mass

## Items

- **MEMS capacitive** — Silicon proof mass on flexible tethers; displacement changes a capacitance gap. The accelerometer in every phone.
- **Piezoelectric** — Charge across a piezoelectric crystal under stress. AC-coupled; can't measure DC acceleration.
- **Piezoresistive** — Resistance changes with strain. DC-capable but temperature-sensitive.
- **Servo / force-balance** — Closed-loop nulling; feedback coil pushes the proof mass back to rest. Highest-accuracy class.

## Related

- [[angular-rate]]