2006-09-06 09:19:47 · 4 answers · asked by Peter T 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Many people confuse speed with velocity, which may be the basis of your question. Velocity is a vector quantity and speed is the length of the velocity vector. If the velocity is constant, the acceleration is zero. But the speed can be constant and there still be an acceleration. For example, if something in moving around a circle with constant speed, the acceleration will be non-zero and pointed towards the center of the circle.
2006-09-06 10:18:09 · answer #1 · answered by mathematician 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The acceleration of something that is traveling at a constant velocity is zero.
2006-09-06 17:02:10 · answer #2 · answered by baudeagle 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not possible...to travel at a constant velocity translates into zero acceleration.
2006-09-06 16:26:44 · answer #3 · answered by young108west 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can travel at constant SPEED while accelerating, but not constant VELOCITY. Velocity is speed and direction. A car driving in circles at 20 MPH is always accelerating. One second it is going north at 20 MPH and another second it is going south at 20 MPH, for a net acceleration of 40 MPH between those two velocities. But no change in speed.
2006-09-06 16:28:44 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋