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

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An object can be pulled upward with an acceleration less than gravity if the net force acting on it is upward. This occurs when the upward force exceeds the downward gravitational force. The net acceleration is determined by the equation F/m - g, where F is the upward force and mg is the gravitational force. If the upward force is only slightly greater than the gravitational force, the resulting acceleration can be positive but still less than g. Understanding the distinction between forces and accelerations clarifies how this upward motion can occur.
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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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