Deceleration is the slowing down of an object in physics, which means that the magnitude of the velocity decreases. Deceleration occurs when acceleration is directed in the opposite direction as the velocity of an object.
The time rate of change of the velocity vector is defined as acceleration. Deceleration, on the other hand, is acceleration that results in a decrease in “speed.” Deceleration is not the opposite of acceleration. It never refers to a negative rate of change of velocity over time.
Consider a moving object to help you understand the concept better. When the component of acceleration is opposite to the direction of velocity, the speed of an object in motion decreases. In this case, we can say that the object is decelerating. Even in this case, we cannot say that deceleration is the opposite of acceleration. Only one component of acceleration is the opposite velocity in this case, not the entire acceleration. However, if acceleration (not a component of it) is opposite to velocity, then deceleration is also opposite to acceleration. Different cases of acceleration and deceleration are listed below in the table.
A negative velocity and a positive acceleration | Deceleration |
a positive velocity and a negative acceleration | Deceleration |
positive velocity and a positive acceleration | Acceleration |
a negative velocity and a negative acceleration | Acceleration. |
In the above figure, velocity is positive and acceleration is negative for upward flight. As a result, the projectile decelerates and its speed in the + y direction decreases (deceleration). Both velocity and acceleration are negative for the downward flight from maximum height. As a result, the projectile is accelerated, and its speed in the – y direction increases (acceleration).
Table of Contents
Deceleration Formula
Summary
- Deceleration is not the opposite of acceleration.
- In one-dimensional motion, “deceleration” refers to the opposite acceleration to velocity.
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