- #1
Balsam
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Homework Statement
If an object is slowing down, does the acceleration automatically have an acceleration of the opposite direction as the initial velocity, even if the question says otherwise?
Ex. This is a problem from my textbook: A bus is moving at 22m/s[E] for 12s. Then, the bus driver slows doen at 1.2m/s^2 [E] until the bus stops. Determine the total displacement for the bus.
According to the question, the acceleration of the bus as it slows down is 1.2m/s^2[E]
Homework Equations
My question doesn't require an equation to answer.
The Attempt at a Solution
I looked at the solutions manual, and it uses an acceleration value of 1.2m/s^2[W], an acceleration of the same magnitude, but of opposite direction than the one given in the problem. Does this mean that you always change the direction of acceleration to be the opposite of the given acceleration in the question if an object is slowing down? Do you do the same if it's speeding up?