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The negative part in negative acceleration is indicating direction, as acceleration is a vector quantity. Speed however, is a scalar and has magnitude only and therefore cannot be negative.

An example could be -2.6ms-2 meaning that there is an acceleration of 2.6ms-2 but in the opposite direction to other vectors.

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Q: How can you have negative acceleration but not negative speed?
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Related questions

What happens to your speed if you have a negative acceleration do you speed up or slow down?

If you have a negative acceleration, you are slowing down. Acceleration is the rate of change of speed, so a negative acceleration means a decrease in speed.


What happens to acceleration when speed decreases on a speed time graph?

Acceleration is negative.


How does a change in speed affect acceleration?

Acceleration is directly proportional to the change in speed. If the speed increases, acceleration is positive. If the speed decreases, acceleration is negative. The magnitude of acceleration is determined by the rate at which the speed changes.


What is An increase of speed during a given interval of time is called negative acceleration?

Actually, an increase in speed during a given interval of time is called acceleration, not negative acceleration. Negative acceleration, also known as deceleration, refers to a decrease in speed over time.


What is negative accelertion?

Acceleration is any change in velocity. Negative acceleration is when the change is such that the speed decreases.


What is positive negative and zero acceleration is?

positive acceleration is when things speed up; negative acceleration is when things slow down; and zero acceleration is when things do not speed up or slow down, this is called constant speed, or no change in velocity.


If your speed slows down you will have what acceleration?

If your speed slows down, yYou will have negative acceleration or deceleration.


Why is retardation called negative acceleration?

retardation is nothing but the decrease in speed. so if the increase in speed can be taken as positive then for sure decrease in speed can be taken as negative acceleration.


True or false Negative acceleration always means that a system is slowing down?

false A car can have a negative acceleration and be speeding up. A negative acceleration determines the direction of the acceleration A car with forward acceleration will speed up in the forward direction A car moving forward with a negative acceleration will slow down A car not moving with a negative acceleration will speed up in the backward direction A car moving backward with a negative acceleration will speed up in the backward direction


If your speed changes from 10 kmh to 6 kmh you have a(n) acceleration. positive or negtive?

if your speed is in the positive direction you are slowing down and acceleration is the opposite direction and is negative acceleration.However if your speed is the negative direction ( like running backwards) and you slow down then acceleration is in the opposite direction and positive.In your case if speed is 10 kmh positive going to 6kmh then acceleration is negative


Can acceleration be a negative number?

Yes, acceleration can be a negative number. Negative acceleration means that the object is slowing down, or changing its velocity in the negative direction. It indicates a decrease in speed or a change in direction opposite to the initial motion.


Does a negative acceleration always mean a decrease in speed?

Not necessarily. Negative acceleration indicates a decrease in velocity, which can either mean a decrease in speed or a change in direction depending on the initial velocity and the direction of the acceleration.