How can an object be pulled upward with an acceleration less than gravity?

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SUMMARY

An object can be pulled upward with an acceleration less than gravity when the net force acting on it is positive. According to Newton's second law, if the upward force (F) exceeds the downward gravitational force (mg), the object will experience an upward acceleration defined by the equation F/m - g. This means that even if the upward acceleration is less than the gravitational acceleration (g), the object can still ascend as long as the net force remains positive.

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Bashyboy
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How is it possible for an object to be thrusted upwards with an acceleration if the upwards acceleration is in fact less than the acceleration due to gravity that acts downwards?
 
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It is forces that act on objects, not accelerations. If the net force on the object is upward, it will have an upward acceleration.
 
If the upward force, F, is greater that the downward force due to gravity, mg, then the upward acceleration will be F/m- g, which will be positive. That net acceleration can be close to 0, less than g. Perhaps that is what is confusing you.
 

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