How Does Acceleration Appear on a Graph When an Object Slows Down?

AI Thread Summary
When an object slows down while moving towards the origin, its acceleration can be positive if its velocity is negative. The acceleration-time (a-t) graph reflects this relationship, indicating that a negative velocity combined with a decrease in speed results in positive acceleration. Discussions clarify that the direction of motion (towards or away from the origin) does not change the nature of acceleration; it is determined by the slope of the velocity-time (v-t) graph. If the object is slowing down in a negative direction, the acceleration will be positive. Understanding these concepts is crucial for accurately interpreting motion graphs.
Khemkhajon
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If a object was heading towards the orgin while slowing down. How would the a vs t graph look. I keep thinking it would be a positive acceleration line, but I am not sure wondering if anyone could clarify
 
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If it is slowing down, what does that say about the acceleration?

An a-t graph plots acceleration. It doesn't matter if the object is moving towards the origin or away from it.
 
tyco05 said:
If it is slowing down, what does that say about the acceleration?

An a-t graph plots acceleration. It doesn't matter if the object is moving towards the origin or away from it.

Thats not true. Because if they gave you a x vs t graph of a object heading towards the orgin and speeding up the acceleration would still be negative because of the slope
 
Khemkhajon said:
Thats not true. Because if they gave you a x vs t graph of a object heading towards the orgin and speeding up the acceleration would still be negative because of the slope

What exactly do you mean by this?

If something is speeding up, the slope of the v- t graph is positive. Hence the acceleration is positive.
 
tyco05 said:
What exactly do you mean by this?

If something is speeding up, the slope of the v- t graph is positive. Hence the acceleration is positive.

Think of it as ball rolling down a ramp. it starts at 50m-----------ends at 0m
 
Hmmm... maybe you mean speeding up in a negative direction?
In that case your statement is correct.
 
tyco05 said:
Hmmm... maybe you mean speeding up in a negative direction?
In that case your statement is correct.

so back to the question if its speed was negative and starts to slow down what would the a vs t be?
 
Maybe you're mixing up your horizontal and vertical components...
 
if the velocity is in a negative direction and it is slowing down then the acceleration is in the positive direction.
 
  • #10
tyco05 said:
if the velocity is in a negative direction and it is slowing down then the acceleration is in the positive direction.

o ok thankyou
 
Last edited:

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