On an axis where the positive direction is fixed, what does a negative acceleration component mean?
AIt points in the negative axis direction
BThe object is definitely slowing down
CThe object has stopped completely
DThe velocity must be negative too
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. It points in the negative axis direction
1. A negative sign on a one-dimensional quantity just reports its direction along the chosen axis.
2. A negative acceleration can still speed an object up if that object is already moving in the negative direction.
3. So a negative acceleration only guarantees a direction, not that the object is slowing down.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 3 "Acceleration", section 3.1 Acceleration_
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