which of the following best describes acceleration
*These are not the answer choices*
1. an object speeding up
2. an object slowing down
3. an object changing in direction
4. an object that is at rest
*these are the answer choices*
All of the choices describe acceleration
1 and 2
1 and 3****
1, 2, and 3
the answer is (the runner slowing down at the end of the race) yw :>)
Speed is a scalar. You an measure it with a speedometer.
BUT
Velocity is a VECTOR. You need both the speedometer AND a compass.
Acceleration is a vector, rate of change of Velocity
THEREFORE
If speed changes, that is Acceleration
ALSO
If direction changes, that is acceleration.
NOW
1. Speeding up = acceleration
2. Speed down = acceleration
3. changing direction = acceleration
4. No change in speed, no change in direction, no acceleration.
Thank you so much Damon!! Have a great day!!
You are welcome. By the way if you have learned about "centripetal acceleration", that is acceleration with no speed change, just direction.
I haven't learned about that yet, but thank you for telling me! Now when that lesson comes up I'll already have an idea about what it is.
Good :) and acceleration can be + or -. Often if negative it is called de-acceleration but not by physicists :)
To determine which of the answer choices best describes acceleration, let's understand the concept of acceleration itself.
Acceleration is defined as the rate at which the velocity of an object changes over time. Velocity includes both the speed of an object and its direction of motion. Therefore, acceleration can occur when an object is speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction.
From the answer choices provided, let's consider each one:
1. An object speeding up: This is a valid description of acceleration because when the speed of an object increases, its velocity changes, resulting in acceleration.
2. An object slowing down: This is also a valid description of acceleration since when the speed of an object decreases, its velocity changes, leading to acceleration in the opposite direction.
3. An object changing in direction: This is yet another valid description of acceleration because when the direction of an object's motion changes, its velocity changes, resulting in acceleration.
4. An object that is at rest: This answer choice does not describe acceleration. If an object is at rest, it means it has zero velocity and is not changing its speed or direction. Therefore, it does not experience acceleration.
Now, let's evaluate the answer choices:
- All of the choices describe acceleration: This is true since all the provided choices (1, 2, and 3) correctly describe situations in which acceleration occurs.
- 1 and 2: This answer choice only includes objects speeding up and slowing down, but it doesn't consider objects changing direction. Therefore, it does not fully capture all scenarios of acceleration.
- 1 and 3: This answer choice includes objects speeding up and changing direction. This is a better option because it encompasses both scenarios of acceleration.
- 1, 2, and 3: This answer choice includes all the scenarios of acceleration mentioned earlier, making it the most accurate option.
Therefore, from the given answer choices, the best description of acceleration is "1 and 3" as it encompasses both an object speeding up and an object changing in direction.