I keep getting “Acceleration” questions wrong in Kinematics. What's the trap?
assuming acceleration is zero whenever velocity is zero (e.g. at the top of a throw, v=0 but a=−g).
The usual trap: assuming acceleration is zero whenever velocity is zero (e.g. at the top of a throw, v=0 but a=−g). How to avoid it: a body can have zero velocity yet non-zero acceleration. Go back to the definition — the rate of change of velocity; it is a vector, so direction matters.
Key point
Acceleration
Common mistake
assuming acceleration is zero whenever velocity is zero (e.g. at the top of a throw, v=0 but a=−g).
Memory tip
a body can have zero velocity yet non-zero acceleration.
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