The discussion revolves around the concept of acceleration and its instantaneous nature in the context of changing forces, particularly focusing on a scenario where acceleration values are provided over specific time intervals.
The discussion is ongoing with conflicting viewpoints regarding the instantaneous nature of acceleration. Some participants have provided examples to illustrate their points, while others seek clarification and sources to support their arguments.
Participants are considering the implications of real-world physics versus theoretical models, questioning the assumptions about force application and the nature of acceleration changes. There is an acknowledgment that while some phenomena may be approximated as instantaneous, they typically involve finite time intervals.
Not as the problem is given. But in real life the applied force cannot make an instantaneous change like that. The change can take place in a very short time, just not in no time. So there has to be a very brief moment around 3 seconds where the acceleration was -3/2 ft/sec^2.tasveerk said:Homework Statement
In a scenario, the acceleration from 2-3 seconds is -2ft/sec^2 and from 3-4 seconds it is -1ft/sec^2. Does this mean that there was a moment between 2 and 4 seconds that the acceleration was -3/2 ft/sec^2?
The force is not instantaneous. Neither is the change in acceleration.ashishsinghal said:acceleration can change abruptly and there is no need for transitional stage. hence no.
I will give you an example. let's say that an iron cube is moving towards an electromagnet (switched off) and then it is switched on . The moment it is switched on a force attracts the iron. Since the force is instantaneous the acceleration is also instantaneous.
Doc Al said:The force is not instantaneous. Neither is the change in acceleration.
(But you can pretend it is for the purpose of the problem.)
The point is that it takes time for the field to build up and time for the field to travel to the iron. Not much time, but time nonetheless. Few things happen 'instantly', although that's often a useful approximation.ashishsinghal said:Then can you please explain what will happen when the electromagnet is switched on