Question

Suppose that a car traveling to the east (+ x direction) begins to slow down as it approaches a traffic light. Which statement concerning its acceleration must be correct? a.Its acceleration is in the tx direction. b.Its acceleration is in the -x direction. c.Its acceleration is zero. d.Its acceleration is decreasing in magnitude as the car slows down.

Answer 1

The correct statement for a car slowing down as it travels east is that its acceleration is in the -x direction because it is decelerating, with acceleration opposite to motion.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a car traveling to the east (in the +x direction) begins to slow down as it approaches a traffic light, its acceleration must be in the -x direction. This is because the car is decelerating, or slowing down, which means that the direction of its acceleration is opposite to its direction of motion. Thus, the correct statement concerning its acceleration is that it is in the -x direction. Decreasing speed while moving in the positive direction indicates that the acceleration is negative.