2006-08-17 07:26:57 · 30 answers · asked by Pizza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Almost everyone of these folks are WRONG.
In everyday language, accelerate refers to speeding up, HOWEVER, in physics it means ANY change in velocity (or speed, up or down) and since velocity always includes a direction vector, it also means that a change in direction is an acceleration.
So, a ball being swung in a circle at a constant speed but in a circle is ALWAYS accelerating.
2006-08-17 07:44:07 · answer #1 · answered by Manny 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Acceleration a term developped by Galileo. To day the term has evolved into many subsivision of exactly what is meant by acceleration.
In Physics WE have basically two types =one is called inertial acceleration and the other gravitational acceleration.
Einstein made a "gedanken " experiment and determined the two to be equivalent.
Acceleration does not exist Unless Power is applied to a mass to cause it to move.
As the moving mass increases speed ,the acceleration attenuates.
The Cause of the acceleration is related to the power that causes the mass to move.
In a moving car the increase of speed is due to the increase of power we apply to the car.
Acceleration is a function of power.
2006-08-17 07:54:31 · answer #2 · answered by goring 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Accelerate is a change in speed of an object. Thus acceleration can have a positive or negative value. Positive value called acceleration = increasing speed. Negative value called deceleration = reducing speed
2006-08-17 07:37:03 · answer #3 · answered by gass 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The definition of Acceleration is the rate of change in speed, it means increase in speed per second or per minute or per hour
2006-08-17 07:34:34 · answer #4 · answered by Amar Soni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both. If you are speaking of automobiles, then it only means an increase in speed.
If you are speaking of a physics problem, then the word "accelerate" refers to any changing speed, with a postive number meaning increasing and a negative number meaning decreasing.
2006-08-17 07:35:35 · answer #5 · answered by Tom H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. To increase the speed of.
2. To cause to occur sooner than expected.
3. To cause to develop or progress more quickly: a substance used to accelerate a fire.
4.
a. To reduce the time required for (an academic course, for example); compress into a shorter period.
b. To make it possible for (a student) to finish an academic course faster than usual.
5. Physics To change the velocity of.
v.intr.
1. To move or act faster. See Synonyms at speed.
2. To engage in an academic program that progresses faster than usual.
2006-08-17 07:31:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would believe it means to increase in speed or to gain speed. The base of the word "accel" sounds like excel which in turn means to achieve or to accomplish....kinda. You cannot excel if you fail or move backwards so thus I believe the word "accelerate" means to increase or gain speed.
2006-08-17 07:49:35 · answer #7 · answered by Kiko 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
speed can also not change at all, accelerate simply means a change in velocity, ie negative acceleration is possible, moreover if there is a change in direction but no change in speed, the object is also accelerating ie circular motion
2006-08-17 22:57:15 · answer #8 · answered by ThoughTs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually it means:
Increase in speed, if going same direction.
Or, a change of direction, even if going same speed.
Think of a ball being whirled at the end of a rope - it is accelerating around the person holding the rope. Or the Earth rotating around its axis, or rotating around the Sun. All examples of acceleration.
2006-08-17 07:34:20 · answer #9 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
increase speed
2006-08-17 07:50:13 · answer #10 · answered by CHiNO 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋