Object projected vertically upwards and Planck time

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of an object projected vertically upwards, specifically focusing on the moment it reaches its peak height where its velocity is zero. Participants explore the implications of this moment in relation to the concept of Planck time, questioning the nature of time and velocity at that instant.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the moment when the object is at rest (V=0) could be defined in terms of Planck time, questioning if it lasts as long as this smallest measurable unit of time.
  • Another participant clarifies that the concept of Planck time is often misunderstood, asserting that the object is stationary for zero seconds, which implies that it never truly remains at rest for any measurable duration.
  • A subsequent post questions whether the velocity of the object was ever truly zero, proposing that it approaches zero but never actually reaches it before reversing direction.
  • Another participant explains that while there exists a specific time when the velocity is zero, for any infinitesimally small duration around that time, the velocity is not zero, emphasizing that this reasoning applies to any speed, not just zero.
  • One participant reflects on their initial misunderstanding, acknowledging that classical thinking leads to the erroneous belief that the object halts completely at V=0 for a brief duration before falling, and recognizes that this perspective applies equally to other speeds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the moment when the object reaches zero velocity, with some suggesting it can be defined in terms of Planck time, while others argue that it does not last for any measurable duration. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of velocity approaching zero.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on interpretations of time and velocity, as well as the implications of classical versus modern physics perspectives on motion.

skepticwulf
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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?
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 

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