B Object projected vertically upwards and Planck time

AI Thread Summary
When an object is thrown vertically, it decelerates due to gravity, reaching a momentary halt at the peak where its velocity is zero. This "halt" does not last for any measurable time, including Planck time, as it can be considered to occur at a point where velocity approaches zero but never truly remains there. The concept of velocity being zero for an instant is misleading; rather, it is more accurate to say that at a specific time, the velocity equals zero while surrounding moments have non-zero velocities. This perspective applies to any speed, not just zero, emphasizing that the transition between speeds is continuous rather than discrete. Understanding this clarifies the nature of motion and challenges classical interpretations of instantaneous stops.
skepticwulf
Messages
74
Reaction score
1
When we throw an object vertically , its speed decreases due to gravity and comes to a halt at the very top, V=0 and starts falling down.
What can we say about that "halt" moment? Is it defined in terms of seconds? Does it last as long as Planck time? being the smallest measurement of time that has any meaning?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You are misunderstanding what the Planck time is. That's a very common misunderstanding, so common that we even have an Insights article on the subject: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/hand-wavy-discussion-planck-length/

You could say that the object is stationary for zero seconds (and zero years, and zero milliseconds) if you wish - zero is zero no matter what units you use.
 
Last edited:
Does that mean Velocity was 0 for 0 seconds? In other words, Velocity was never 0?
Does that mean velocity came to 0 by every instant it approached to the top but NEVER became 0 and turned down immediately BEFORE being zero?
 
It means that there is a time ##t_0## such that ##v(t_0)=0##, but that for any non-zero value of ##\epsilon##, no matter how small, ##v(t_0\pm\epsilon)## is not zero.

Note that there is nothing special about the zero speed here. If the object was initially thrown upwards at five meters/sec, there is a moment when the object is moving at exactly three meters/sec. What can we say about that moment? How long does it last? We can ask these questions about any speed.
 
  • Like
Likes skepticwulf
I think it's "classical" thinking that makes me think erroneously. One tends to think the ball comes into a complete halt at V=0, hangs there for intimately small -but for true- duration and THEN starts falling down.
When you consider "there is nothing special about the zero speed", then it's clear.
You can look at its picture when V=3m/s or 0m/s. The "moment" is virtually the same.
Thank you.
 
I think it's easist first to watch a short vidio clip I find these videos very relaxing to watch .. I got to thinking is this being done in the most efficient way? The sand has to be suspended in the water to move it to the outlet ... The faster the water , the more turbulance and the sand stays suspended, so it seems to me the rule of thumb is the hose be aimed towards the outlet at all times .. Many times the workers hit the sand directly which will greatly reduce the water...
Back
Top