Speed vs Acceleration: Can An Object Do Both?

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An object can indeed increase in speed while its acceleration decreases, as long as the acceleration remains positive. For example, a car accelerating from 100 m/s at 10 m/s², which then decreases to 5 m/s², will still increase its speed. This concept is illustrated by the analogy of a car merging onto an interstate; even if the driver eases off the accelerator, the vehicle continues to gain speed until acceleration becomes zero or negative. Therefore, as long as there is positive acceleration, speed will continue to rise. Understanding this relationship is crucial in physics.
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Can an object be increasing in speed as its acceleration decreases? if so, give an example; if not explain why.
 
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As long as an object has positive acceleration, its speed will be increasing.

If an object is moving at, say 100 m/s, with acceleration, 10 m/s^2, as the acceleration decreases to 5 m/s^2, that is still a positive acceleration so its speed is still increasing.
 
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Yes. Like Hallofivy said above.

Think of being in a fast car getting onto the interstate from an on ramp. If you floor the accelerator, you will accelerate pretty quickly. Now, if you let off the accelerator a little bit, your acceleration slows down, but you are still increasing your velocity. Until the acceleration reaches zero or goes negative, then you will increase in speed.
 
thanks halls and drak..

i got it..
 
For simple comparison, I think the same thought process can be followed as a block slides down a hill, - for block down hill, simple starting PE of mgh to final max KE 0.5mv^2 - comparing PE1 to max KE2 would result in finding the work friction did through the process. efficiency is just 100*KE2/PE1. If a mousetrap car travels along a flat surface, a starting PE of 0.5 k th^2 can be measured and maximum velocity of the car can also be measured. If energy efficiency is defined by...

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