How can an object move without acceleration?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of how an object can move without acceleration, particularly in the context of electrical potential difference and its relationship to work done on particles. Participants explore the implications of constant velocity and the measurement of voltage in relation to work rather than speed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that potential difference represents the energy required to move a particle between two points without acceleration.
  • Another participant states that an object can move at a constant velocity, implying negligible acceleration.
  • A question is raised about whether the measurement of voltage reflects differences in particle speeds, which is later clarified to be about differences in work done.
  • It is proposed that the speed of particles is irrelevant as long as they maintain constant velocity, focusing instead on the work done to achieve that state.
  • A participant questions whether all objects must experience initial acceleration to reach constant velocity, leading to a discussion about reference frames and initial conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of initial acceleration for achieving constant velocity, indicating a lack of consensus on this aspect of the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of acceleration and velocity in different reference frames, as well as the relationship between work and potential difference.

Evenus1
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hi every one.
ive been digging around on the idea of volt edge and have come across the idea that potential difference is the difference in electrical potential. this is the energy required to move a particle between two reference points without acceleration?
i apologies at my lack of knowledge but am only doing my GCSE's. any ways how can an object move without acceleration between two points and there be a difference in this.
many thanks
Ewen shackel
 
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It can move at a constant velocity. Although, often people mean "negligible acceleration" when they say "constant velocity".
 
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ok so would we say that the particles are already moving but at different speeds and that this difference is what we are measuring when we measure voltage?
and thank you for your reply
 
Not the difference in speed, but the difference in work. So say we have two particles moving at whatever constant speed they happen to be moving at. One takes twice as much work as the other, so the potential difference was twice as much as the other. The speed is irrelevant as long as it is constant.
 
Dale said:
Not the difference in speed, but the difference in work. So say we have two particles moving at whatever constant speed they happen to be moving at. One takes twice as much work as the other, so the potential difference was twice as much as the other. The speed is irrelevant as long as it is constant.
ahh thank you very much that hass clear up the idea a lot.
 
Dale said:
Not the difference in speed, but the difference in work. So say we have two particles moving at whatever constant speed they happen to be moving at. One takes twice as much work as the other, so the potential difference was twice as much as the other. The speed is irrelevant as long as it is constant.
Out of curiosity, does everything have an initial acceleration? obviously they have to start from 0 and rise to get to a constant velocity correct? trying piece things together with the same subject.
thank you.
 
Dcastillo said:
obviously they have to start from 0 and rise to get to a constant velocity correct?
This is not necessary. If it starts at 0 in some reference frame then in other frames that same thing will not start at 0.
 

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