Velocity and Acceleration - Verbal Response

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SUMMARY

An automobile can have a velocity directed west while simultaneously experiencing acceleration directed east. This occurs when the vehicle is moving west with a positive velocity but has a negative acceleration, indicating a deceleration. The discussion clarifies that the term "speeding up" is misleading in this context, as it suggests an increase in velocity rather than a decrease due to the opposing acceleration.

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  • Knowledge of positive and negative values in kinematics
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Homework Statement


An automobile is traveling west. Can it have a velocity toward the west and at the same time have an acceleration toward the east? Under what circumstances.

The Attempt at a Solution


I wrote "Yes, the car can be moving west and speeding up with a positive velocity (assuming west is the positive x-axis) and at the same time having a negative acceleration towards the east."

Does my response answer the question? I am having a hard time with this. Can anyone assist me or guide me in the right direction?

Thanks beforehand.
 
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You seem to have the correct grasp on velocity and acceleration. I would just be careful about using the wording "speeding up," as it seems to imply changing/increasing velocity when really in your case the car is slowing down, as it has an acceleration to the east
 

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