How can an object move without acceleration?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of potential difference and its relationship to electrical potential and work. It is clarified that potential difference is not the difference in speed, but rather the difference in work required to move a particle between two points at a constant velocity. The conversation also touches on the idea of initial acceleration and its relation to reference frames.
  • #1
Evenus1
29
2
hi every one.
ive been digging around on the idea of volt edge and have come across the idea that potential difference is the difference in electrical potential. this is the energy required to move a particle between two reference points without acceleration?
i apologies at my lack of knowledge but am only doing my GCSE's. any ways how can an object move without acceleration between two points and there be a difference in this.
many thanks
Ewen shackel
 
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  • #2
It can move at a constant velocity. Although, often people mean "negligible acceleration" when they say "constant velocity".
 
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Likes russ_watters
  • #3
ok so would we say that the particles are already moving but at different speeds and that this difference is what we are measuring when we measure voltage?
and thank you for your reply
 
  • #4
Not the difference in speed, but the difference in work. So say we have two particles moving at whatever constant speed they happen to be moving at. One takes twice as much work as the other, so the potential difference was twice as much as the other. The speed is irrelevant as long as it is constant.
 
  • #5
Dale said:
Not the difference in speed, but the difference in work. So say we have two particles moving at whatever constant speed they happen to be moving at. One takes twice as much work as the other, so the potential difference was twice as much as the other. The speed is irrelevant as long as it is constant.
ahh thank you very much that hass clear up the idea a lot.
 
  • #6
Dale said:
Not the difference in speed, but the difference in work. So say we have two particles moving at whatever constant speed they happen to be moving at. One takes twice as much work as the other, so the potential difference was twice as much as the other. The speed is irrelevant as long as it is constant.
Out of curiosity, does everything have an initial acceleration? obviously they have to start from 0 and rise to get to a constant velocity correct? trying piece things together with the same subject.
thank you.
 
  • #7
Dcastillo said:
obviously they have to start from 0 and rise to get to a constant velocity correct?
This is not necessary. If it starts at 0 in some reference frame then in other frames that same thing will not start at 0.
 

FAQ: How can an object move without acceleration?

1. How is it possible for an object to move without acceleration?

It is possible for an object to move without acceleration if its velocity remains constant. This means that the object is moving at a constant speed in a straight line without changing direction. In this case, the net force acting on the object is zero, resulting in no acceleration.

2. Why does an object need acceleration to move?

Acceleration is the rate of change of an object's velocity. In order for an object to move, it needs to change its position, and this change in position is measured as velocity. Without acceleration, an object would remain at rest or continue to move at a constant speed in a straight line.

3. Is it possible for an object to have a constant acceleration and still move?

Yes, it is possible for an object to have a constant acceleration and still move. This is because acceleration refers to the rate of change of velocity, and the object's velocity can still change while maintaining a constant acceleration. For example, an object moving in a circular path at a constant speed has a constant acceleration towards the center of the circle.

4. Can an object move without acceleration in a curved path?

Yes, an object can move without acceleration in a curved path if its velocity is constant. This is because the acceleration of an object moving in a curved path is always directed towards the center of the circle, which can be balanced out by other forces acting on the object, resulting in a constant velocity and no acceleration.

5. What are some real-life examples of objects moving without acceleration?

One common example of an object moving without acceleration is a car moving at a constant speed on a straight road. Another example is a satellite orbiting the Earth at a constant speed. In both cases, the objects are moving without acceleration because their velocities remain constant.

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