Question

Can a body have zero velocity and finite acceleration?

Answer 1

Hint: If a body has the motion under the influence of gravitational force then it can be possible for a body to have zero velocity and finite or constant acceleration.

Complete step-by-step solution:
If a body has motion under the interference of gravitational acceleration then it can be possible that a body can have zero velocity and finite acceleration. As the gravitational acceleration is a constant quantity which is always applicable on those motions which are under its interference. We can explain it with some examples.
Let us take a situation in which a ball is thrown vertically upwards. In this situation, the velocity of the ball is highest at the initial point but it decreases when the ball covers the vertical distance. At the topmost point, the velocity becomes zero and the acceleration is finite and constant which is equal to gravitational acceleration.
1. Let us take a situation when a ball is thrown upwards on an inclined surface so then at the initial point the ball is having its highest velocity but when the ball covers the distance the velocity decreases and at the topmost point its velocity is zero but acceleration is not zero. This acceleration is the gravitational acceleration. At that point the component of acceleration/gravitational acceleration works there. So, at the topmost point the velocity is zero but acceleration is not and has a finite value.
2. There is one more situation/condition when the body has zero velocity and finite acceleration This situation is from simple harmonic motion. In the simple harmonic motion during the motion, at the extreme positions, the velocity of the body is zero but the acceleration is highest. for example, the simple harmonic motion of spring and the simple harmonic motion of Pendulum.
Therefore, a body can have zero velocity and finite acceleration.

Note:- For this question, we have to figure out those types of motions in which the acceleration is a characteristic of that motion and at some instant do.