Which statement correctly defines acceleration?

Which statement correctly defines acceleration?

• A. The rate of change of position
• B. The rate of change of velocity
• C. The total distance traveled
• D. The unit used to measure force

Answer: (B)

Acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes. Because velocity includes both speed and direction, acceleration covers speeding up, slowing down, or turning. For example, a car speeding up from rest increases its velocity over time, so it experiences acceleration. A car moving at constant speed around a curve still has acceleration because the direction of motion—and thus velocity—is changing. The rate of change of position describes velocity, not acceleration. The total distance traveled is simply distance, not a rate. The unit used to measure force is Newtons, not a unit for acceleration. So the statement that acceleration is the rate of change of velocity best captures what acceleration measures.

Acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes. Because velocity includes both speed and direction, acceleration covers speeding up, slowing down, or turning. For example, a car speeding up from rest increases its velocity over time, so it experiences acceleration. A car moving at constant speed around a curve still has acceleration because the direction of motion—and thus velocity—is changing. The rate of change of position describes velocity, not acceleration. The total distance traveled is simply distance, not a rate. The unit used to measure force is Newtons, not a unit for acceleration. So the statement that acceleration is the rate of change of velocity best captures what acceleration measures.