Question

Consider a bus traveling to the west (negative x direction) that begins to slow down as it approaches a traffic light. Which statement concerning its acceleration in the x direction is correct

Answer 1

Complete question is;

Consider a bus traveling to the west (-x direction) begins to slow down as it approaches a traffic light. Which statement concerning its acceleration in the x direction is correct

a) The bus is decelerating and its acceleration is positive.

b) The bus is decelerating, and its acceleration is negative.

c) The acceleration is zero.

d) A statement cannot be made using the information given.

Answer:

Option A - bus is decelerating and acceleration is positive.

Explanation:

We are told that the bus is travelling in (negative x direction) and begins to slow down. Since the bus is slowing down, it means that the bus is undergoing a negative acceleration which is called deceleration.

Thus, the bus is decelerating.

Since it is moving in the negative x-axis, it means acceleration is now; -(-a) which gives +a.

Thus, bus is decelerating and acceleration is positive.