Relationship between Velocity and Acceleration

In summary, when the driver applies brakes, the car's velocity will start decreasing and the direction of acceleration will be opposite to the direction of the velocity. This means that the car will accelerate backwards.
  • #1
Muhammad Danish
70
7
When the driver applies brakes its velocity starts decreasing and direction of acceleration will be same to the direction of velocity.
Is this statement True of False?
Please explain the true concept of this scenario. As far as I understand is that Velocity will start decreasing. But I am confused regarding the ''Direction of Acceleration''.
Thanks.
(REGARDS)
 
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  • #2
Acceleration means which direction or axis is the car increasing in velocity.

Imagine a lift moving up and down. It is currently moving up with constant velocity. The lift now needs to stop so it begins to DECELERATE in the direction upwards and ACCELERATE downwards. Acceleration means an increasing velocity in one direction and deceleration means a decreasing velocity in the other direction. This applies even if the lift isn't moving in the direction of acceleration or deceleration.

Can you apply this to your car?
 
  • #3
lekh2003 said:
Acceleration means which direction or axis is the car increasing in velocity.

Imagine a lift moving up and down. It is currently moving up with constant velocity. The lift now needs to stop so it begins to DECELERATE in the direction upwards and ACCELERATE downwards. Acceleration means an increasing velocity in one direction and deceleration means a decreasing velocity in the other direction. This applies even if the lift isn't moving in the direction of acceleration or deceleration.

Can you apply this to your car?
Oh so will it mean that the car must accelerate backwards??
 
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  • #4
Muhammad Danish said:
When the driver applies brakes its velocity starts decreasing and direction of acceleration will be same to the direction of velocity.
Is this statement True of False?
Please explain the true concept of this scenario. As far as I understand is that Velocity will start decreasing. But I am confused regarding the ''Direction of Acceleration''.
Thanks.
(REGARDS)
The statement is false. Velocity and acceleration are vector quantities, and acceleration represents the rate of change of the velocity vector. Do you know what a vector is? If so, do you know how to perform vector addition and subtraction?
 
  • #5
Chestermiller said:
The statement is false. Velocity and acceleration are vector quantities, and acceleration represents the rate of change of the velocity vector. Do you know what a vector is? If so, do you know how to perform vector addition and subtraction?
Yes, addition of vectors can be done by taking a scale and drawing a parallelogram or a triangle. By using triangle/parallelogram law of vector addition, we can find the resultant. Vector is a quantity that is described by both direction and magnitude.
 
  • #6
Muhammad Danish said:
Oh so will it mean that the car must accelerate backwards??
Yes
 
  • #7
Muhammad Danish said:
Oh so will it mean that the car must accelerate backwards??
Yes, this is what happens. The direction of the velocity mustn't be in the direction of acceleration for it to be accelerating/decelerating.
 
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1. How are velocity and acceleration related?

The relationship between velocity and acceleration can be described by Newton's Second Law of Motion, which states that the force applied to an object is directly proportional to its mass and acceleration. In simpler terms, an increase in acceleration will result in a corresponding increase in velocity.

2. Can velocity and acceleration be negative?

Yes, both velocity and acceleration can be negative. Negative velocity means that the object is moving in the opposite direction of the chosen reference point, while negative acceleration means that the object is decreasing in speed. For example, when a car is slowing down, its acceleration would be negative.

3. What is the difference between average velocity and instantaneous velocity?

Average velocity is the total displacement of an object over a given time period, while instantaneous velocity is the velocity at a specific moment in time. Average velocity can be calculated by dividing the total displacement by the total time, while instantaneous velocity can be found by taking the derivative of the object's position function.

4. How does acceleration affect an object's motion?

Acceleration is a measure of the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time. It can either speed up or slow down an object's motion, depending on whether it is positive or negative. For example, a positive acceleration will cause an object to speed up, while a negative acceleration will cause it to slow down.

5. Is there a maximum velocity an object can reach?

In classical mechanics, there is no limit to the maximum velocity an object can reach. However, as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass increases and it becomes more difficult to accelerate. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, the speed of light is the ultimate speed limit in the universe.

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