What determines the acceleration of an object in an infinite time frame?

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In an inertial frame of reference with no external forces, an object like a pen will initially accelerate when a force is applied. According to Newton's second law (F = MA), the pen can achieve a certain acceleration, such as 1 m/s². However, once the force is removed, the pen will stop accelerating and continue moving at a constant velocity due to inertia. It will not reach 99% of the speed of light because continuous acceleration requires an ongoing force. Ultimately, the acceleration ceases when the applied force is no longer present.
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Okay if I was in an inertial frame of reference where there are no forces involved. If I were throw a pen by exerting a force on it, I would give it an acceleration of let's say 1 m/s^2

F = MA
A = F / M

So say that pen drifted of into space forever, wouldn't it eventually accelerate to 99% the speed of light since it has an infinite amount of time to accelerate? If there are no other forces on the pen. Wouldn't the acceleration eventually stop, even if there are no other forces? and what determines when it will stop accelerating?
 
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zeromodz said:
Okay if I was in an inertial frame of reference where there are no forces involved. If I were throw a pen by exerting a force on it, I would give it an acceleration of let's say 1 m/s^2

F = MA
A = F / M

So say that pen drifted of into space forever, wouldn't it eventually accelerate to 99% the speed of light since it has an infinite amount of time to accelerate? If there are no other forces on the pen. Wouldn't the acceleration eventually stop, even if there are no other forces? and what determines when it will stop accelerating?

Once you let go of the pen it stops accelerating because there is no more applied force. it just goes on moving at a constant velocity.
 

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