Question

Explain in simple, non-mathematical terms how the acceleration can be large when the velocity is zero. Where else have you seen zero velocity and non-zero acceleration?

Answer 1

Well think about throwing a ball into the air.. it has a velocity upwards to a point and then has no velocity just before it falls down. Although it has no velocity, it has an acceleration of -G (gravity) the whole time causing the ball to start falling back down.

Answer 2

Think about the start of a car race, the car has zero velocity, in order to achieve high velocities from zero velocity, we must have the maximum acceleration possible that the car provides

Answer 3

That's right, in your example, the acceleration (the gravity) is constant all the time. In a race, for example, the maximum acceleration will occur when the car has zero velocity.