Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Position, Velocity, and Acceleration
In calculus, the position function s = f(t) describes the location of an object over time. The velocity is the first derivative of the position function, indicating how fast the position changes with respect to time. Acceleration, the second derivative of the position function, measures how the velocity changes over time. Understanding these relationships is crucial for analyzing motion.
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Finding Critical Points
To determine when the velocity is zero, we need to find the critical points of the velocity function, which is derived from the position function. This involves setting the first derivative (velocity) equal to zero and solving for t. Critical points indicate where the object may change direction or stop, which is essential for analyzing motion.
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Second Derivative Test
The second derivative test helps determine the nature of critical points found in the first derivative. By evaluating the second derivative at these points, we can ascertain whether the object is accelerating or decelerating. Specifically, if the second derivative is positive, the object is accelerating; if negative, it is decelerating. This is vital for understanding the object's motion when its velocity is zero.
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