Acceleration Problem: Velocity Zero?

In summary, an object can have a zero velocity and still be accelerating, as seen in the example of throwing an object straight up. However, if the object has a constant velocity, there is no change in acceleration.
  • #1
starks.L
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0
Is there situations when an object is accelerating but its velicoty is zero ?
 
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  • #2
No, you can't have an accelerating object (acceleration <>0) with constant velocity = 0.

Now, you can have an acceleration with velocity =0 only on discrete instants:
when you throw and object upward, it will go up until it stops (velocity=0) for a tiny instant, then falls back. The acceleration of the object is not null and constant = gravity.

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Correct me if I am wrong.
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  • #3
starks.L said:
Is there situations when an object is accelerating but its velicoty is zero ?
Yes. for example, if you throw an object straight up, it has a constant downward acceleration, but its velocity at the top of its path is zero.
Of course, if there is acceleration, the velocity is not conatant, but is instantaneously zero.
 
  • #4
If acceleration is zero (no change in velocity), and velocity is zero at one point, velocity is always zero.

If acceleration is zero (no change in velocity), and velocity is nonzero at one point, velocity is always that nonzero value.

If acceleration is a nonzero constant, the velocity is at sometime instantaneously zero.

A changing acceleration does not necessarily imply any particular velocity.
 
  • #5
starks.L said:
Is there situations when an object is accelerating but its velicoty is zero ?
No. If constant velocity (implied constant direction), no change in acceleration.

That's the standard textbook answer, but Meir Achuz's sounds right to me:
Yes. for example, if you throw an object straight up, it has a constant downward acceleration, but its velocity at the top of its path is zero.
Of course, if there is acceleration, the velocity is not conatant, but is instantaneously zero.
 
Last edited:

1. What is acceleration?

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity over time. It is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction.

2. How is acceleration calculated?

Acceleration is calculated by dividing the change in velocity by the change in time. The formula for acceleration is: a = (vf - vi) / t, where a is acceleration, vf is final velocity, vi is initial velocity, and t is time.

3. What does it mean when acceleration is zero?

If acceleration is zero, it means that the velocity is not changing. This could mean that an object is moving at a constant speed, or that it is not moving at all.

4. How can velocity be zero if there is acceleration?

Velocity can be zero if there is acceleration if the acceleration is in the opposite direction of the initial velocity. This would result in the object eventually coming to a stop and having zero velocity.

5. What is the significance of an acceleration problem with zero velocity?

An acceleration problem with zero velocity can provide important information about the motion of an object. It could indicate that an object is at rest, or that it is moving at a constant speed. It can also help determine the direction and magnitude of the acceleration, which can be useful in predicting future motion of the object.

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