Understanding the Acceleration of a Stone Thrown Upwards with an Initial Velocity of 5m/s

In this article, we will explore the concept of acceleration as it applies to a stone thrown upwards with an initial velocity of 5 m/s. We'll use the equations of motion to determine the acceleration, understanding that it is a fundamental aspect of physics.

Introduction to the Problem

The motion of a stone thrown upwards is a classic example used in physics lessons to illustrate the principles of acceleration. In physics, acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity over time. It is a critical concept when analyzing the motion of objects. For the stone thrown upwards, we need to determine its acceleration using the equation of motion.

The Equations of Motion

The equations of motion are a set of equations used in kinematics to describe the motion of objects. The primary equation we will use is:

Final Velocity (m/s) Initial Velocity (m/s) Acceleration (m/s2) × Time (seconds)

This equation can be written as:

Vf Vi a × t

Solving for Acceleration

Given the initial velocity of the stone is 5 m/s and after 5 seconds the final velocity becomes 0 m/s, we can use the equation of motion to solve for the acceleration.

Let's rearrange the equation to solve for acceleration (a):

a (Vf - Vi) / t

Substituting the known values:

a (0 m/s - 5 m/s) / 5 s

This simplifies to:

a -5 m/s / 5 s -1 m/s2

Therefore, the acceleration is -1 m/s2, indicating that the stone is decelerating due to the force of gravity (which acts downwards, opposite to the initial upward motion).

Another Approach

It's important to note that acceleration is a vector quantity. In this context, an upward direction is considered positive, and a downward direction is considered negative. Using the same equation of motion, we can solve for acceleration in a different manner:

0 5 m/s - 5 m/s × a

From this, we can solve for a:

5 m/s × a 5 m/s

Therefore:

a 1 m/s2

This approach confirms the acceleration of the stone is 1 m/s2 downwards (negative in our coordinate system).

Conclusion

The acceleration of the stone is -1 m/s2, indicating a deceleration due to gravity. This example demonstrates the importance of understanding the principles of acceleration in analyzing the motion of objects. By applying the equations of motion, we can accurately determine how and why objects change their velocity over time.

I hope this explanation helps! If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask.