Question

Which situation describes a negative acceleration?

A. A runner slowing down at the end of a race.

B. A swimmer moving at a constant velocity.

C. A bicycle increasing its velocity as the rider pedals harder.

D. A diver jumping off a diving board and falling to the swimming pool below.

Answer 1

A. A runner slowing down at the end of a race.

Reason: "Negative acceleration" here means acceleration opposite the direction of motion (deceleration), so the runner whose speed is decreasing has negative acceleration. (B: zero acceleration, C: positive acceleration, D: acceleration is downward due to gravity but not necessarily "negative" unless a sign convention is specified.)