Acceleration is a change in velocity. Velocity has two components:
* Speed: How fast an object is moving.
* Direction: The path the object is traveling on.
Therefore, if an object changes direction, even if its speed remains constant, its velocity changes. This change in velocity means the object is accelerating.
Examples:
* A car turning a corner: The car's speed might be constant, but its direction is changing, meaning it's accelerating.
* A ball moving in a circle: The ball's speed might be constant, but its direction is constantly changing, meaning it's accelerating.
* A satellite orbiting the Earth: The satellite's speed might be constant, but its direction is constantly changing due to the Earth's gravity, meaning it's accelerating.
Key takeaway: Acceleration is not just about speeding up or slowing down; it's about any change in velocity, including changes in direction.
