Effect of time on the acceleration of an object initially at rest?

[howsockgothap]

Hello,

I recently bought a Dyson vacuum and have been excitedly vacuuming my floors way more than I need to! I have been doing some thinking as well on the matter (yes, vacuuming) and have a physics problem/question. It has been a long time since I studied physics, so I am not equipped to answer this myself. Basically: vacuuming is supposedly more effective if done slowly, and it is much easier to pick up slightly larger objects when moving the vacuum at a slower speed. My question is, is this because there is some effect of time on the acceleration or new motion of an object?

I know acceleration is dV/t, but what I mean is, if the same force (suction) is applied to a dust particle at rest, does the time over which that force is applied affect the force's ability to overcome resisting forces? Is applying the same force for a longer period of time (vacuuming over a larger object, say a piece of confetti, more slowly) actually more effective/ would T be a factor in over coming the equilibrium of negative (gravity) and positive (the Dysons suction) forces? And if so... How? Or is there some other explanation for vacuuming slowly working better, probably related to the vacuums brush or some such thing I'd know nothing about?

(And yes, I have considered sweeping up slightly larger objects first, that option is not as fun! )

 

[haruspex]

if the same force (suction) is applied to a dust particle at rest, does the time over which that force is applied affect the force's ability to overcome resisting forces?

It makes a greater change to the momentum, so gives the particle more speed, and lifts it higher. If the force is not applied long enough the particle will simply drop back down when the hose moves on past it.

 

[A.T.]

... does the time over which that force is applied affect the force's ability to overcome resisting forces?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momentum#Relation_to_force