In the SI system, what are the units for acceleration?

• A. $\frac{m}{s}$
• B. $\frac{m}{s^2}$
• C. $\frac{kg}{m^2}$
• D. $\frac{N}{kg}$

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity with respect to time.
2. Velocity itself is the rate of change of displacement (measured in meters, m) with respect to time (measured in seconds, s), so its units are meters per second (\(m/s\)).
3. Since acceleration is the change in velocity per unit time, its units are velocity units divided by time units, which is \(\frac{m/s}{s}\).
4. Simplify the units by dividing \(m/s\) by \(s\), resulting in \(m/s^2\).
5. Therefore, the SI units for acceleration are meters per second squared, written as \(\frac{m}{s^2}\).