Acceleration vs De-acceleration

[multiix]

If you were to be moving in space at a constant V observed by a "stationary source". Say you had no frame of reference yourself, so you felt you were stationary, (but per observer you are moving at V)

If the observer sees you slow down to a stop. At that point can you tell whether you accelerated or de-accelerated.

Thank You

 

[darkhorror]

I am not really sure what your asking here? are you asking if acceleration and deceleration are different? Or if you can tell if you change velocity if you are slowing down compared to a none accelerating (inertial)frame of reference?

 

[multiix]

I am not really sure what your asking here? are you asking if acceleration and deceleration are different? Or if you can tell if you change velocity if you are slowing down compared to a none accelerating (inertial)frame of reference?

Im asking whether you can tell the difference between the two if you have no frame of reference.

 

[darkhorror]

No, they are the same, it just depends on how you look at it. To someone you might be accelerating at the same time you will be decelerating to someone else. Really it's all just acceleration.

 

[multiix]

No, they are the same, it just depends on how you look at it. To someone you might be accelerating at the same time you will be decelerating to someone else. Really it's all just acceleration.

Thank You! I've been arguing this with a classmate. I got another supporter smile:

 

[science g33k]

I would have to agree with darkhorror, the is only a difference between the two if there is a reference point. It really goes back to the bare basic physics principles. :)

 

[Dale]

If you were to be moving in space at a constant V observed by a "stationary source". Say you had no frame of reference yourself, so you felt you were stationary, (but per observer you are moving at V)

If the observer sees you slow down to a stop. At that point can you tell whether you accelerated or de-accelerated.

Your question is self contradictory. If you are moving at constant V then there is no acceleration.

Assuming that you meant that you were not moving at a constant V wrt the observer, or that you were initially moving at a constant V wrt the observer and then at some time t0 you decelerated to a stop relative to the observer, then the above responses are correct.