An object accelerates to the right at 0.25 m/s^2. Which statement correctly describes its acceleration?

An object accelerates to the right at 0.25 m/s^2. Which statement correctly describes its acceleration?

• A. 0.25 m/s^2 to the right
• B. 0 m/s^2
• C. 0.25 m/s^2 to the left
• D. 0.50 m/s^2 to the right

Answer: (A)

Acceleration is how velocity changes, including both how fast it changes and in which direction. If the object is accelerating to the right at 0.25 m/s^2, the acceleration vector points to the right with a magnitude of 0.25 m/s^2. That matches the given information exactly: a rightward, 0.25 m/s^2 acceleration. This isn’t zero, because there is a change in velocity occurring. It isn’t to the left, since the acceleration direction is specified as rightward. And it isn’t 0.50 m/s^2, which would indicate a different rate of change than stated.

Acceleration is how velocity changes, including both how fast it changes and in which direction. If the object is accelerating to the right at 0.25 m/s^2, the acceleration vector points to the right with a magnitude of 0.25 m/s^2. That matches the given information exactly: a rightward, 0.25 m/s^2 acceleration.

This isn’t zero, because there is a change in velocity occurring. It isn’t to the left, since the acceleration direction is specified as rightward. And it isn’t 0.50 m/s^2, which would indicate a different rate of change than stated.