Question

Nearly all physics problems will use the unit m/s squared. Why are the seconds squared?

Answer 1

Seconds squared is the time unit of acceleration.  It represents the change in distance units per second per second. For example, 3 m/sec² means a distance covering 3 meters in the first second, then 9 meters in the 2nd second, and 37 meters in the third second. (3^1, 3^2, 3^3).

Acceleration is part of Newton's 2nd law: force = mass x acceleration. Units of work: joule = kg·m²/s², and power: watts = kg·m²/s³ all contain accelerations.