To determine the units in which acceleration is expressed, we need to understand what acceleration represents in physics.
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. Essentially, it tells us how quickly an object's velocity is changing. Mathematically, acceleration [tex]\( a \)[/tex] can be expressed as:
[tex]\[ a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t} \][/tex]
where [tex]\( \Delta v \)[/tex] is the change in velocity and [tex]\( \Delta t \)[/tex] is the change in time.
Velocity is measured in meters per second (m/s) in the SI (International System of Units). Therefore, acceleration, being the change in velocity per unit of time, would have units of meters per second per second (m/s^2). This simplifies to meters per second squared.
Given the options:
- Kilograms (A): Kilograms is the unit of mass.
- Newtons (B): Newtons is the unit of force.
- Foot-pounds (C): Foot-pounds is a unit of work or energy.
- Meters per second squared (D): Meters per second squared (m/s^2) accurately represents the unit of acceleration.
Thus, the correct unit for expressing acceleration is D. Meters per second squared.
