What is instantaneous acceleration?

[parshyaa]

Right, so if you understand instantaneous velocity, then what is your problem with Instantaneous acceleration? Both are derivatives w.r.t time.We cannot help you, if you just keep repeating "How can it be..." without explaining what your problem with it is.

I just edited my post

 

[A.T.]

Suppose i am applying force continuously on an object, then object accelerates, and then somebudy asked what is the acceleration of that object when time was 4 second

a = F / m

 

[parshyaa]

a = F / m

Yes but i just gave that example to explain the importance of instantaneous acceleration, finally acceleration is the ratio of velocity w.r.t time , therefore it can occur at a particular instant of time.

 

[A.T.]

Yes but i just gave that example to explain the importance of instantaneous acceleration,

Then you should add that the force or mass varies with time. Otherwise instantaneous acceleration equals average acceleration.

 

[parshyaa]

Then you should add that the force or mass varies with time. Otherwise instantaneous acceleration equals average acceleration.

Yes, i meant the same.

 

[Dale]

finally acceleration is the ratio of velocity w.r.t time

Acceleration is the derivative of velocity wrt time.

therefore it can occur at a particular instant of time

It sounds like you now agree that instantaneous acceleration is meaningful, just like instantaneous velocity.

 

[parshyaa]

Instantaneous velocity: its the velocity of an object at a particular instant/moment of time.
mathematically: Its the rate of change of displacement/position of an object w.r.t time.
Instantaneous acceleration: its the acceleration of an object at a particular instant/moment of time.
Mathematically: its the rate of change of velocity w.r.t time.
Suppose i am applying force continuously on an object, then object accelerates, and then somebudy asked what is the acceleration of that object when time was 4 second, therefore introduction of instantaneous acceleration is must.
Thank you

@Dale

 

[russ_watters]

@Dale

You didn't ask any questions, but all of those statements look fine.

 

[parshyaa]

You didn't ask any questions, but all of those statements look fine.

Yes,because my doubt is clear now, thanks to all of you

 

[rumborak]

On a related side note, there is something called "jerk" in physics, which is the derivative of the acceleration over time:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerk_(physics)

 

[sophiecentaur]

On a related side note, there is something called "jerk" in physics, which is the derivative of the acceleration over time:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerk_(physics)

And the jerk is what actually happens in pretty well every mechanical occurrence . Put your foot down on a car accelerator and you will find the force on your back varies with time. (Like when the turbo kicks in. You can't use the SUVAT equations with motor cars because the acceleration is not uniform at all.
Edit: When I first was taught SUVAT in School, I missed the word "uniform" in "uniform acceleration'. That looking out of the window incident accounted for a lot of initial problems with comprehension. I wish I had learned that lesson because I have been nodding off regularly at vital moments ever since.

 

[LLT71]

like a lot of people out there that paradoxical thing bugged me since high school, but no one ever seemed to explain me better than this guy:



OP I strongly advise you to watch this video to really get a clear(er) picture of a derivative.

 

[Vidujith Vithanage]

The video posted by LLT71 is interesting, " Instantaneous rate of change" is explained clearly in that. Simply it is the rate of change occurs during a very small duration of time, when we take the derivative we allow the time difference to approach zero,

 

[sophiecentaur]

The video posted by LLT71 is interesting, " Instantaneous rate of change" is explained clearly in that. Simply it is the rate of change occurs during a very small duration of time, when we take the derivative we allow the time difference to approach zero,

He deals with the apparent problem quite well but he doesn't really needs go to all that trouble. If you are prepared to use Maths as the primary way of explaining this sort of process and only use hand waving as a secondary medium, there never would be a problem. This is all down to Mathsphobia, imo.