Acceleration versus time graph

[kaaira]

when we throw an object upwards its accelaration is negative and after it reaches the maximum height it comes back to us and during that period it has its accelaration still pointing toward the earth. so does that mean that when we draw a accn time graph, for a body thrown up reaching maximum height and coming back to us, will be a straight line parallel to x-axis on the negative side of y?

 

[phinds]

The positive/negative is somewhat of a choice (/convention) but a straight line, yes.

 

[sophiecentaur]

The positive/negative is somewhat of a choice (/convention) but a straight line, yes.

If you go a really long way up, the Inverse Square Law will start to kick in significantly and the straight line will start to dip towards the 'x axis'.

 

[phinds]

If you go a really long way up, the Inverse Square Law will start to kick in significantly and the straight line will start to dip towards the 'x axis'.

Good point. Thanks for that addition. I'm used to thinking in terms of problems that talk about something going up for maybe 100 feet.

 

[sophiecentaur]

Well, the radius of curvature of the Earth's surface is pretty massive by architectural and aeronautical standards. :D