How can you let Initial position and initial velocity be equal to zero?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of initial conditions in physics, specifically regarding initial position and initial velocity being set to zero. Participants explore the implications of these conditions over time in the context of motion and acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question the reasoning behind setting initial position and velocity to zero, considering how these values change as time progresses. Some discuss the scenario of an object at rest and the implications of initial conditions when an object begins to move.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with various interpretations of initial conditions being explored. Some participants provide explanations regarding the nature of motion and the significance of time in defining these conditions, but there is no explicit consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that initial conditions apply specifically at time t = 0, and there is an acknowledgment that these conditions can only be defined once for a given scenario. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding how these conditions affect motion over time.

Miike012
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How can you let Initial position and initioal velocity be equal to zero? I understand that it will be zero at time = 0, but as time goes on from 1, 2 , 3 , 4 won't it change? I underlined that it in read in the picture?
 

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Right, well what you are looking at is at rest.

At rest, 0, the velocity is 0 because it is not moving yet. Since it hasn't moved yet, position is 0 as well. As time goes on, and the object accelerates to produce a velocity, both its velocity and position change.

Hopefully this helps.
 
when you drop something the instant it leaves what is it velocity. The position can be measure were ever you want so assign it the value of zero. Yes position and velocity will change.
 
The initial conditions are, well, the initial conditions! The time variable has value zero only once. The rock starts falling only once.

The equations provided are true for all time [itex]t \geq 0[/itex], and they can have only one set of initial conditions: whatever the state of affairs is at time t = 0.
 
thank you
 
Last edited:

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