Why Is the Acceleration Not Zero at the Highest Point of a Thrown Baseball?

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SUMMARY

The acceleration of a thrown baseball at its highest point is 9.8 m/s² downward, contrary to the misconception that it would be zero. While the velocity at the peak is indeed zero, acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity, which remains constant due to the force of gravity acting on the baseball. This gravitational acceleration does not cease until the baseball impacts another object.

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A baseball is thrown upwards. What is the acceleration at the highest point?

i thought the acceleration would be 0 since velocity at the highest point is 0 and the derivative of velocity is acceleration. Since velocity is not changing, shouldn't acceleration be 0?

However the answer is supposed to be 9.8 m/s^2 downwards. why is the answer the acceleration of gravity and not 0?
 
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demonelite123 said:
A baseball is thrown upwards. What is the acceleration at the highest point?

i thought the acceleration would be 0 since velocity at the highest point is 0 and the derivative of velocity is acceleration. Since velocity is not changing, shouldn't acceleration be 0?

However the answer is supposed to be 9.8 m/s^2 downwards. why is the answer the acceleration of gravity and not 0?

Velocity at the top is 0. But the rate of change is still 9.8 m/s2 until it hits something, right?
 

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