Deceleration and Acceleration: Opposites or One and the Same?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between deceleration and acceleration, specifically whether deceleration in one direction equates to acceleration in the opposite direction. Participants agree that when an object slows down, such as an elevator moving upwards, it experiences a form of acceleration downwards. This is further illustrated with the example of a vehicle reducing speed from 100mph to 50mph, suggesting that the decrease in speed can be interpreted as an increase in speed in the opposite direction, thus confirming the interconnectedness of these concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly motion and acceleration.
  • Familiarity with the definitions of speed, velocity, and acceleration.
  • Knowledge of reference frames in physics.
  • Ability to analyze motion through real-world examples.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of kinematics and how they relate to acceleration and deceleration.
  • Explore the concept of reference frames in physics to better understand motion analysis.
  • Study the mathematical definitions of acceleration and how they apply to real-world scenarios.
  • Investigate the implications of acceleration in different contexts, such as vehicles and elevators.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of motion, particularly in relation to acceleration and deceleration in various contexts.

Balsam
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Homework Statement


If you decelerate in one direction, are you accelerating in the opposite direction? Ex. You are standing in an elevator and are slowing down, going upwards- are you accelerating downwards since you're decelerating in the opposite direction, upwards?

Homework Equations


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The Attempt at a Solution


I think this is true.
 
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Yea, I agree,
While driving if you go from 100mph to 50mph, then in the other direction you are going from -100mph to -50mph, if you take the definition of acceleration as an increase in speed, then yes you are technically accelerating in the other direction even while moving less than 0mph towards it
 
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