In introductory kinematics, acceleration is defined as the rate of change of what quantity with respect to time?

• A. Mass
• B. Position (displacement)
• C. Velocity
• D. Force

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the definition of acceleration in kinematics: acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes over time.
2. Express this mathematically as acceleration \(a\) being the derivative of velocity \(v\) with respect to time \(t\): \(a = \frac{d v}{d t}\).
3. Understand that velocity itself is the rate of change of position (or displacement) with respect to time, but acceleration specifically relates to how velocity changes.
4. Therefore, acceleration is not the rate of change of mass, position, or force, but specifically the rate of change of velocity.
5. Summarize: acceleration measures how quickly an object's velocity changes as time progresses.