While looking through solutions to a text on cramster I found something I wanted

Question

While looking through solutions to a text on cramster I found something I wanted to check before believing. The question is, "Can an object with constant acceleration reverse its direction of travel? Can it reverse its direction twice?"

The first part I have no problems with. The second part the answer on cramster was, "No an object with constant acceleration cannot change its direction twice". The author of the solution gave an example of a pendulum changing its direction twice but only because it was varying acceleration.

I first thought that it could change its direction any amount of times from the definition of acceleration because an object accelerates if its velocity changes or direction changes. Then I figured an example might be a ball in free fall that hits the ground and bounces. It would change direction more than once and is under constant acceleration.

I am looking to see if someone can shed some light on this for me. Thank you very much and I will be sure to rate!!

Explanation / Answer

It is true that an object with constant acceleration cannot reverse its direction twice or more. In your free ball example, the acceleration of the ball changes when it is hitting the ground. So the acceleration is not constant, that's why it can bounce off an change its direction many times. Hope it's clear.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse W
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.