An object moves to the right with increasing speed. Its acceleration is

An object moves to the right with increasing speed. Its acceleration is

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

Answer: (B)

Acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes. If the object is moving to the right and its speed is increasing, the velocity is increasing in the positive (rightward) direction, so the acceleration must point to the right. The magnitude tells how fast that speed is changing. Here, the speed is increasing at 0.25 m/s^2, so the acceleration is 0.25 m/s^2 to the right. Zero acceleration would mean no change in speed, which doesn’t match “increasing speed.” An acceleration to the left would indicate slowing down or speeding up in the opposite direction, which contradicts the given motion. A larger rightward acceleration would imply a faster rate of speed increase than specified.

Acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes. If the object is moving to the right and its speed is increasing, the velocity is increasing in the positive (rightward) direction, so the acceleration must point to the right. The magnitude tells how fast that speed is changing. Here, the speed is increasing at 0.25 m/s^2, so the acceleration is 0.25 m/s^2 to the right. Zero acceleration would mean no change in speed, which doesn’t match “increasing speed.” An acceleration to the left would indicate slowing down or speeding up in the opposite direction, which contradicts the given motion. A larger rightward acceleration would imply a faster rate of speed increase than specified.