Negative acceleration - change in direction or slowing down?

In summary, when given the initial and final velocities, it is possible to determine if there was a change in direction or a decrease in speed. However, more information is needed to accurately determine the acceleration. Additionally, a negative acceleration can also indicate an increase in speed if the initial velocity is negative. The relation between acceleration and the position vector's second derivative may also provide insight, but it is not a definitive factor.
  • #1
kathyt.25
49
0

Homework Statement


Since we can't tell if a value of negative acceleration means a change in direction or decceleration, how WOULD we be able to tell if its a change in direction or the speed is slowing down (say, if we were given v_initial and v_final)?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
If you're given V_i and V_f you know that some negative acceleration had to occur in the direction of motion. You need more than just velocities however, to determine much of anything about the acceleration. Similarly, if you're just given an acceleration, that doesn't necessarily tell you much about how the velocity changes.
 
  • #3
Y'know, a negative acceleration could even mean something is speeding up, if it has a negative velocity (i.e. if it's moving "backwards")
 
  • #4
I think it has to do with acceleration being the second derivative of the position vector but I am not entirely sure.
 

FAQ: Negative acceleration - change in direction or slowing down?

What is negative acceleration?

Negative acceleration, also known as deceleration, is a decrease in the rate of change of an object's velocity. This means that the object is either slowing down or changing direction in a way that causes its speed to decrease.

How is negative acceleration measured?

Negative acceleration is measured in units of distance per time squared, such as meters per second squared (m/s^2) in the metric system. This measurement indicates how much the velocity of an object changes in a certain amount of time due to negative acceleration.

What causes negative acceleration?

Negative acceleration can be caused by various factors, such as friction, air resistance, or the force of gravity. These forces act in the opposite direction of an object's motion, causing it to slow down or change direction.

How is negative acceleration different from positive acceleration?

Negative acceleration and positive acceleration are opposites. While negative acceleration causes an object to slow down or change direction, positive acceleration causes an object to speed up or maintain a constant velocity in the direction of motion.

Can negative acceleration be beneficial?

Yes, negative acceleration can be beneficial in some cases. For example, when a car is approaching a stop sign, the driver must apply the brakes to apply negative acceleration and slow down the car. This helps to avoid collisions and maintain control of the vehicle.

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