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How is acceleration defined?

  1. Change in speed over distance.

  2. Change in force over time.

  3. Change in velocity per unit time.

  4. Change in mass per unit distance.

The correct answer is: Change in velocity per unit time.

Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity per unit time. This means that it measures how quickly an object's velocity (which encompasses both speed and direction) is changing over a specific time period. In mathematical terms, acceleration can be expressed as the difference in velocity divided by the time interval during which this change occurs. Understanding acceleration is crucial in physics as it helps analyze the motion of objects, whether they are speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction. For example, if a car increases its speed from 30 km/h to 60 km/h in 10 seconds, the acceleration can be calculated by determining the change in velocity (60 km/h - 30 km/h) and dividing that by the time (10 seconds). This definition contrasts with the other options, which either incorrectly reference different physical concepts or misuse the terms associated with acceleration.