The figure shows the velocity of a particle as it travels along the x-axis. What is the direction of the acceleration at t = 0.5 s?
A) in the +x direction
B) in the -x direction
C) The acceleration is zero.

Question

The figure shows the velocity of a particle as it travels along the x-axis. What is the direction of the acceleration at t = 0.5 s? 
A) in the +x direction 
B) in the -x direction 
C) The acceleration is zero.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At t = 0.5 s, the velocity of the particle is decreasing (because the slope of the tangent line is negative). Therefore, the acceleration is in the direction opposite to the velocity, which is in the -x direction (i.e. to the left). Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

The Figure Shows the Velocity of a Particle as It