Question

A helicopter flying west begins experiencing an acceleration of `3` `m``/s^2` east. Will the magnitude of its velocity increase or decrease?

Answer 1

The velocity will increase.

Explanation:

We know that in an accelerated frame of reference a body always experiences a fake or pseudo acceleration equal in magnitude but opposite in direction of the real acceleration acting on the body.
Here the helicopter experinces `3m/s^2` pseudo acceleration eastward.This means that the real/actual acceleration of `3m/s^2` is acting westward i.e.along its direction of motion.

Hence its velocity will increase with time

Answer 2

The magnitude of its velocity will decease until it reaches a (relative to ground) velocity of 0; then it will increase as it begins to move to the east.

Explanation:

See dk_ch's answer for an alternate opinion (which I personally don't understand ).