acceleration

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. This topic is part of Physics within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 14 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.

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acceleration trivia questions

Acceleration measures how quickly what changes?

Answer: Velocity

Bonus fact: Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

What is the SI unit of acceleration?

Answer: Meters per second squared

Bonus fact: Acceleration is measured in m/s².

An object moving at constant speed in a circle is accelerating because what is changing?

Answer: Direction of velocity

Bonus fact: Changing direction means velocity changes even if speed stays constant.

What is acceleration?

Answer: Rate of change of velocity

Bonus fact: Acceleration can change speed or direction.

If the same force acts on a larger mass, acceleration will be what?

Answer: Smaller

Bonus fact: Acceleration equals force divided by mass.

What force opposes a parachutist's downward motion?

Answer: Drag

Bonus fact: Drag from the air reduces acceleration and terminal speed.

What is terminal velocity?

Answer: The constant speed reached when drag balances weight

Bonus fact: At terminal velocity, net force is zero and acceleration stops.

What physical quantity is a measure of an object's inertia in classical mechanics?

Answer: Mass

Bonus fact: Greater mass means greater resistance to acceleration.

Which law is summarized by F = ma?

Answer: Newton's second law

Bonus fact: Force equals mass times acceleration.

What equation summarizes Newton's second law for constant mass?

Answer: F = ma

Bonus fact: Net force equals mass times acceleration.

Near Earth's surface, gravitational potential energy is commonly calculated as what?

Answer: mgh

Bonus fact: Mass, gravitational acceleration, and height determine the energy.

A cheetah can maintain its top speed for only about what distance?

Answer: 300 yards

Bonus fact: Its sprinting anatomy delivers extreme acceleration but is physiologically costly.

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