Force decreased but velocity continues to increase

[Perseverence]

Homework Statement

An object is moving to the right in a straight line. The net force acting on the object is also directed to the right, but the magnitude of the force is decreasing with time. What happens to the object?

The answer states that the object continues to move to the right with speed increasing with time. This doesn't make sense to me because according to the formula Force equals mass times acceleration, reduction of force is a reduction of acceleration. And a reduction of acceleration is a reduction in the velocity. What am I missing here?

Homework Equations

Force equals mass times acceleration

The Attempt at a Solution

Seems straightforward that acceleration would decrease

 

[FactChecker]

You are right that acceleration would decrease. What has to be true about acceleration for velocity to decrease?

 

[PeroK]

The answer states that the object continues to move to the right with speed increasing with time. This doesn't make sense to me because according to the formula Force equals mass times acceleration, reduction of force is a reduction of acceleration. And a reduction of acceleration is a reduction in the velocity. What am I missing here?

You need to test this with some numbers.

Hint: if inflation reduces, do prices go down?

 

[Perseverence]

I see! So velocity would increase until accleration became zero and velocity would not decrease until accleration was negative! because any amount of postive accleration would cause velocity to continue to increase. right?

 

[FactChecker]

I see! So velocity would increase until accleration became zero and velocity would not decrease until accleration was negative! because any amount of postive accleration would cause velocity to continue to increase. right?

Right.

 

[Perseverence]

Thank you! Physics forum is amazing!Physics forum is amazing!

 

[David Lewis]

For acceleration, positive and negative refers to the directional sense with respect to a coordinate axis, not increasing or decreasing.