Select the best answer for the question.
14. In which of the following units is acceleration expressed?
A. Meters per second squared
B. Kilograms
C. Foot-pounds
D. Newtons
Answer (1)
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time.
Velocity is measured in meters per second.
Acceleration is measured in meters per second squared.
Therefore, the answer is A .
Explanation
Understanding Acceleration We want to determine the units in which acceleration is expressed. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. Velocity is measured in units of distance per time (e.g., meters per second). Therefore, acceleration is measured in units of (distance per time) per time, or distance per time squared (e.g., meters per second squared).
Analyzing the Options Let's examine the given options:
A. Meters per second squared: This matches our derived units for acceleration.
B. Kilograms: Kilograms are units of mass.
C. Foot-pounds: Foot-pounds are units of energy or work.
D. Newtons: Newtons are units of force.
Selecting the Correct Answer Based on our analysis, the correct answer is A. Meters per second squared .
Examples
Understanding acceleration is crucial in many real-world scenarios. For example, when designing a car, engineers need to calculate the acceleration to ensure it can reach a certain speed within a specific time frame. Similarly, in sports, understanding acceleration helps athletes improve their performance, such as a sprinter increasing their speed during a race. In physics, acceleration is fundamental to understanding motion and forces.
