The discussion centers on the relationship between negative acceleration and displacement in kinematics. It is established that negative acceleration does not necessarily imply that displacement (x) is negative; rather, displacement can be positive while an object experiences negative acceleration. A clear example provided is a ball rolling away from a person, demonstrating positive displacement despite deceleration. The distinction between negative acceleration and deceleration is emphasized, clarifying that negative acceleration refers to the direction of acceleration, not the speed of the object.
PREREQUISITESHigh school physics students, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of motion and acceleration.
Johnny_07 said:Homework Statement
In solving a kinematic equation for x, which has a negative acceleration, is x necessarily negative?
A classmate states that a negative acceleration always means that a moving object decelerating. Is this statement true? Explain.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Johnny_07 said:Thanks for the help, but it's two problems in my book, and those are the exact words. So I don't know.
Johnny_07 said:I have no idea. I believe it's displacement, if I'm not mistaken. My teacher and the textbook is really vague and not clear at all :(