Lack of Instantaneous Changes

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 55 views

Why Displacement, Velocity, and Higher Derivatives Like Acceleration and Jerk Always Represented as Smooth Curves in Real Life?

In the realm of Newtonian Mechanics, Classical Mechanics, and Kinematics, the study of displacement, velocity, and higher derivatives like acceleration and jerk is crucial for understanding the motion of objects. Our teacher's statement that a displacement vs. time graph will always be smooth resonated with me, and I was curious to explore the underlying reasons behind this phenomenon. In this article, we will delve into the world of smooth curves and explore why displacement, velocity, and higher derivatives like acceleration and jerk are always represented as smooth curves in real life.

As you mentioned, force is always finite in real life. This implies that the acceleration of an object is also finite. According to Newton's second law of motion, force (F) is equal to the mass (m) of an object multiplied by its acceleration (a). Mathematically, this can be represented as:

F = ma

Since force is finite, the acceleration of an object is also finite. This means that the acceleration of an object cannot change instantaneously, and it must follow a smooth curve over time.

A smooth curve is a mathematical concept that represents a function that is continuous and differentiable at every point. In other words, a smooth curve has no sharp corners or discontinuities. In the context of displacement, velocity, and higher derivatives like acceleration and jerk, a smooth curve represents a function that is continuous and differentiable at every point.

So, why do displacement, velocity, and higher derivatives like acceleration and jerk always represented as smooth curves in real life? There are several reasons for this:

Finite Force: As mentioned earlier, force is always finite in real life, which implies that the acceleration of an object is also finite. This means that the acceleration of an object cannot change instantaneously, and it must follow a smooth curve over time.
Lack of Instantaneous Changes: In real life, it is impossible for an object to change its acceleration instantaneously. This is because acceleration is a measure of the rate of change of velocity, and it cannot change instantaneously.
Physical Constraints: Real-world objects are subject to physical constraints like friction, air resistance, and other external forces that prevent them from changing their acceleration instantaneously.
Mathematical Representation: Smooth curves are a mathematical representation of real-world phenomena. They provide a way to model and analyze the motion of objects in a way that is consistent with the laws of physics.

Smooth curves are ubiquitous in real life, and they can be observed in various phenomena. Here are a few examples:

Motion of a Car: When a car accelerates from rest, its velocity increases smoothly over time. The acceleration of the car is not instantaneous, and it follows a smooth curve over time.
Motion of a Pendulum: A pendulum's motion is a classic example of a smooth curve. The pendulum's displacement and velocity change smoothly over time, and its acceleration is not instantaneous.
Motion of a Projectile: When a projectile is launched into the air, its motion is a smooth curve. The projectile's displacement and velocity change smoothly over time, and its acceleration is not instantaneous.

In conclusion, displacement, velocity, and higher derivatives like acceleration and jerk are always represented as smooth curves in real life because of the finite force, lack of instantaneous changes, physical constraints, and mathematical representation. Smooth curves are ubiquitous in real life, and they can be observed in various phenomena. By understanding the underlying reasons behind smooth curves, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the laws of physics and the motion of objects in the real world.

Newton, I. (1687). Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica.
Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2013). Fundamentals of Physics.
Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2018). Physics for Scientists and Engineers.

Kinematics: The study of the motion of objects without considering the forces that cause the motion.
Dynamics: The study of the motion of objects considering the forces that cause the motion.
Newton's Laws of Motion: Three laws that describe the relationship between a body and the forces acting upon it.

Displacement: The change in position of an object over time.
Velocity: The rate of change of displacement over time.
Acceleration: The rate of change of velocity over time.
Jerk: The rate of change of acceleration over time.
Smooth Curve: A mathematical concept that represents a function that is continuous and differentiable at every point.
Q&A: Why Displacement, Velocity, and Higher Derivatives Like Acceleration and Jerk Always Represented as Smooth Curves in Real Life?

In our previous article, we explored the concept of smooth curves and why displacement, velocity, and higher derivatives like acceleration and jerk are always represented as smooth curves in real life. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to this topic.

A: An object cannot change its acceleration instantaneously because acceleration is a measure of the rate of change of velocity. According to Newton's second law of motion, force (F) is equal to the mass (m) of an object multiplied by its acceleration (a). Since force is finite, the acceleration of an object is also finite. This means that the acceleration of an object cannot change instantaneously.

A: Smooth curves are ubiquitous in real life, and they can be observed in various phenomena. Here are a few examples:

Motion of a Car: When a car accelerates from rest, its velocity increases smoothly over time. The acceleration of the car is not instantaneous, and it follows a smooth curve over time.
Motion of a Pendulum: A pendulum's motion is a classic example of a smooth curve. The pendulum's displacement and velocity change smoothly over time, and its acceleration is not instantaneous.
Motion of a Projectile: When a projectile is launched into the air, its motion is a smooth curve. The projectile's displacement and velocity change smoothly over time, and its acceleration is not instantaneous.

A: Understanding smooth curves is important in real life because it helps us to model and analyze the motion of objects in a way that is consistent with the laws of physics. Smooth curves provide a way to represent the motion of objects in a mathematical and graphical way, which is essential for understanding and predicting the behavior of objects in various situations.

A: No, an object cannot have a discontinuous acceleration. According to the laws of physics, acceleration is a continuous function of time. This means that an object's acceleration cannot change instantaneously, and it must follow a smooth curve over time.

A: A smooth curve is a mathematical concept that represents a function that is continuous and differentiable at every point. A discontinuous curve, on the other hand, is a curve that has a sharp corner or a discontinuity at some point. In the context of displacement, velocity, and higher derivatives like acceleration and jerk, a smooth curve represents a function that is continuous and differentiable at every point.

A: Yes, a smooth curve can be represented by a mathematical equation. In fact, smooth curves are often represented by mathematical equations that describe the relationship between the variables involved. For example, the equation of a circle can be represented as x^2 + y^2 = r^2, where x and y are the coordinates of a point on the circle, and r is the radius of the circle.

A: Smooth curves have numerous real-world applications in various fields, including:

Physics: Smooth curves are used to model and analyze the motion of objects in various situations.
Engineering: Smooth curves are used to design and optimize the performance of mechanical systems, such as gears and bearings.
Computer Graphics: Smooth curves are used to create realistic and smooth animations in computer graphics.
Data Analysis: Smooth curves are used to analyze and visualize large datasets in various fields, including economics and finance.

In conclusion, smooth curves are an essential concept in understanding the motion of objects in real life. By understanding the underlying reasons behind smooth curves, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the laws of physics and the motion of objects in the real world. We hope that this Q&A article has provided you with a better understanding of smooth curves and their applications in real life.