Question

An object that is accelerating may be: (choose all that apply)(2 points)
Responses

changing direction.
changing direction.

not moving.
not moving.

gaining speed.
gaining speed.

slowing down.
slowing down.

traveling at a constant speed

Answer 1

All of them. Acceleration means a change in velocity (speed and/or direction), so an accelerating object can be:
- changing direction (e.g., uniform circular motion),
- not moving at an instant while its velocity is changing (e.g., the top of a tossed ball’s flight),
- gaining speed,
- slowing down,
- or even moving at constant speed while its direction changes.