Final answer:
The control that increases speed when pressed is the accelerator, which regulates the flow of fuel to the engine, thereby increasing the car's speed. Cruise control maintains speed but does not increase it. Acceleration can also involve slowing down or changing direction, in addition to speeding up.
Step-by-step explanation:
The control that increases speed when pressed is the accelerator. The accelerator, often referred to as the gas pedal, controls the flow of gasoline to the engine, which in turn increases the car's velocity. It's important to understand that acceleration is not just an increase in speed but also a change in velocity. Velocity involves both speed and direction, so acceleration occurs when there is a change in either of these elements. Therefore, actions like braking (which slows the car down) and steering (which changes the car's direction) also result in acceleration because they change the car's velocity. However, the specific control that causes the car to increase in speed when pressed is the accelerator.
The function of cruise control is to maintain a car's speed at a preset level. It does this by adjusting the throttle to keep the speed constant, which helps the driver avoid speeding tickets and provides a more comfortable driving experience. While the cruise control helps regulate speed, it does not directly increase speed like the accelerator does.
An example of acceleration is a car accelerating while driving. The use of cruise control and understanding the interplay between static and kinetic friction when using the brakes are both relevant to mastering driving skills and vehicle control.