Physics question

Question

Which of the following is true in determining the sign of tangential acceleration?

 A. If an object is slowing down, the tangential acceleration is negative.

 B. If an object is speeding up, the tangential acceleration is positive.

 C. If an object is slowing down, the sign of the tangential acceleration is opposite to that of the tangential velocity.

 D. Two of the other statements are correct.

Answer 1

When an object is speeding up, the tangential acceleration is in the same direction as the velocity. On the other hand, when an object is slowing down, the tangential acceleration is in the opposite direction as the velocity. Since we do not know whether or not the question is calling for the tangential velocity to be positive or negative, we can only claim that the tangential acceleration is opposite to that of the tangential velocity. Therefore, only C can be the correct answer. Hope this helps!