Chapter 6, Problem 33A

When a car is moving in reverse, backing from a driveway, the driver applies the brakes. In what direction is the car’s acceleration?

To determine

The direction of the car’s acceleration.

Answer to Problem 33A

Acceleration of the car is in the forward direction.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The degree at which the position of an object changes with time is known as its velocity. And the degree of change of its velocity with time is called its acceleration. Both velocity and acceleration of a moving body is depend on its direction that is both are vector quantity.

When the brakes applied to the car it is slowing down. That means its acceleration is in the direction opposite to that of its velocity. In this problem, car is moving in reverse that is to the backward direction. Therefore the acceleration of the car should be in the forward direction.