A Definition of Acceleration
Acceleration is defined as the time rate of change of velocity. If the velocity of an object is not changing, it is not accelerating. In other words, acceleration is the rate at which velocity is changing, or how fast velocity is changing. The motorcycle at the right is accelerating because it is speeding up. |
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If an object is accelerating, its velocity must be CHANGING.
An object has a changing velocity--in other words, the object is accelerating only if it is doing one of the following things (or any combination of the three):
An object has a changing velocity--in other words, the object is accelerating only if it is doing one of the following things (or any combination of the three):
- Speeding up,
- Slowing down, or
- Changing direction.
Let's assume the people on the Ferris wheel in the video at the right are neither speeding up nor slowing down. Answer the question in the poll below regarding the Ferris wheel riders in the video. |
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Definition of Acceleration Self-Quiz
Scroll to the top of the page and read the material BEFORE you attempt the quiz. Then, try to answer the question in the quiz.
- Are the riders in the Ferris wheel accelerating?
- No, because they are not speeding up.
- No, because they are neither speeding up nor slowing down.
- No, because they are changing direction.
- Yes, because they are speeding up.
- Yes because they are speeding up or slowing down.
- Yes, because they are changing direction.