Understanding Acceleration: Can It Be a Change in Speed or Direction?

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Acceleration is defined as a change in velocity, which encompasses both speed and direction. Therefore, acceleration can occur through a change in speed, a change in direction, or both. A change in direction always constitutes acceleration, while a change in speed also qualifies as acceleration. The discussion emphasizes that if either speed or direction changes, acceleration is present. Understanding these concepts is crucial in the study of physics and motion.
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ok, so since velocity has two parts, speed and direction, and since acceleration is defined as a change in velocity, can acceleration be either a change in speed or a change in direction?
 
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a change in direction is always an acceleration. A change in speed is always an acceleration.

If one (or both) of those things is changing then there is an acceleration.
 
wakejosh said:
ok, so since velocity has two parts, speed and direction, and since acceleration is defined as a change in velocity, can acceleration be either a change in speed or a change in direction?

Take a look at this, specially at paragraph #3: http://www.math.lsa.umich.edu/~glarose/classes/calcIII/web/14_4/" .
 
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Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
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