Final answer:
Acceleration refers to the rate at which an object changes its velocity over time. Examples of accurate descriptions of acceleration include determining the acceleration of a marble on a ramp, calculating the acceleration of a cart pushed by a professor, and studying acceleration in a collision experiment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acceleration refers to the rate at which an object changes its velocity over time. It can be calculated using the formula a = Δv/Δt, where a is acceleration, Δv is the change in velocity, and Δt is the change in time.
Examples of accurate descriptions of acceleration include:
- A group of students is attempting to determine the average acceleration of a marble released from the top of a long ramp. By measuring the marble's position over time, they can calculate its change in velocity and time to find the average acceleration.
- A physics professor pushes a cart of demonstration equipment to a lecture hall. By applying a force to the cart, the professor causes it to accelerate. The acceleration can be calculated using Newton's second law.
- A group of students has two carts, A and B, with wheels that turn with negligible friction. These carts can be used in a collision experiment to study acceleration before and after the collision.