A car is rounding the top, or crest, of a hill while moving at a steady 50 km/hr. What can you say about this car's acceleration, and why?
A) The car is accelerated, because its speed is changing.
B) The car is not accelerated, because its speed is not changing.
C) The car is not accelerated, because its direction of motion is not changing.
D) The car is accelerated, because its direction of motion is changing.
E) The car is not accelerated, because neither its direction of motion nor its speed are changing.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The car is accelerating because, while its speed remains constant, its direction is changing as it rounds the crest of the hill. Acceleration involves any change in velocity, which includes changes in speed or direction.

A Car Is Rounding the Top, or Crest, of a Hill