You are driving south on a highway. Then, without changing speed, you round a curve and drive west. Do you accelerate?
accleration is indeed change of velocity/time
change of veloctiy= Vf-Vi in this case, the directons are different, so there is a vector change of velocity, thence, an acceleration.
To determine whether you would need to accelerate in this scenario, we need to consider the nature of curves and the forces acting on the vehicle during a turn.
When you are driving south on a highway and then round a curve to drive west without changing speed, your vehicle experiences a change in direction. This change in direction is caused by a force called centripetal force, which acts towards the center of the curve. This force allows the vehicle to turn without going in a straight line.
The centripetal force is provided by components such as friction between the tires and the road surface. As long as there is enough friction to provide the necessary centripetal force, you wouldn't need to accelerate because the friction force would facilitate the change in direction.
However, if the curve you're taking is particularly sharp or your vehicle's tires have reduced traction (e.g., due to wet or icy road conditions), you may need to slow down or accelerate to maintain control and ensure that the friction force is sufficient for the turn.
Ultimately, the need to accelerate or decelerate would depend on factors such as the sharpness of the curve, the condition of the road, and the vehicle's handling capabilities. It is always important to drive at a safe and appropriate speed for the given road and weather conditions to ensure you can safely navigate curves.