Constant speed and acceleration.

AI Thread Summary
An object can have acceleration while moving at a constant speed when it follows a curved path, as acceleration involves changes in velocity, which includes direction. Speed is a scalar quantity, while velocity is a vector that accounts for both speed and direction. Therefore, an object moving in a circular orbit maintains constant speed but is continuously accelerating due to its changing direction. The discussion highlights that two objects cannot be on the same path if one is moving straight and the other is curved, impacting their travel times. Understanding the distinction between speed and velocity clarifies why acceleration does not necessarily mean reaching a destination faster.
alyafey22
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As we know that an object can move with constant speed and accelerate this can be expressed with an object moving along a curved path with constant speed ,hence it has an acceleration ...
my question is how an object can have an acceleration and at the same time is moving with constant speed ?
As I know that acceleration means that an object will reach the end faster than an object moving with constant velocity, let us assume that two objects are moving in the same path with the same distance but one in a straight line and the second in a curved line Will the first object reach the end of the path faster ??
 
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alyafey22 said:
As I know that acceleration means that an object will reach the end faster than an object moving with constant velocity
This is not true in general.
 
I think you can answer your own question if you remember that speed is a scalar quantity: distance traveled per second (in any direction) whilst Velocity is a vector quantity and the direction is also involved. You can go very fast in a loop and your average velocity can be zero. etc etc.
 
Acceleration is a change in velocity. Velocity is a vector, so you change either the speed which is the magnitude of the vector, or you change the direction. An object in a circular orbit for example is accelerating because it is always changing direction even though it's linear speed is constant.
 
As I know that acceleration means that an object will reach the end faster than an object moving with constant velocity, let us assume that two objects are moving in the same path with the same distance but one in a straight line and the second in a curved line Will the first object reach the end of the path faster ??

If one is following a curved path then it cannot be in the same path as the other object.
 
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