Write4U
Valued Senior Member
Yes, I know what happens when something hits the ground .Acceleration is not a relative term. It means change in velocity. The rate of acceleration (which is what I'm talking about here) is the change in velocity over time. Phyti's description involves being hit by the ground causing perhaps 200 g's or more of acceleration rate, which is fatal.
But I always understood "acceleration" to mean an increase in speed, not a sudden impact.
ac·cel·er·a·tion
noun
a vehicle's capacity to gain speed within a short time.
- "a Formula One car is superior to an Indy car in its acceleration"
Similar:
speeding up
increasing speed
increase in speed
gain in momentum
gathering speed
opening up
rate of change of velocity
Opposite:
deceleration
slowing down
- However; in PHYSICS ; the rate of change of velocity per unit of time.
In this application, the actual direct rate of change in speed is a sudden and catastrophic "deceleration"? No?
Not trying to be difficult, just wanting to get a clear understanding of the terms and when they are appropriate.