Question

unit 2 test: forces and motion (10/15)
which statement best describes acceleration?
acceleration is the rate of change of position of an object.
acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object.
acceleration is the rate of change of the direction of an object.
acceleration is the rate of change of force of an object.

Explanation:

Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity. Velocity is a vector quantity (has both magnitude and direction). When an object's velocity changes (either in magnitude, direction, or both), it is accelerating.

• The rate of change of position is velocity.
• The rate of change of direction alone is not a complete definition of acceleration (as magnitude of velocity also matters).
• The rate of change of force is not acceleration (though force is related to acceleration via \(F = ma\), but that's a different relationship).

Answer:

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object.