Question

Which of these is an example of deceleration?

A. a roller coaster moving down a steep hill
B. an airplane following a straight flight path
C. a bird taking off for flight
D. a car approaching a red light

Answer 1

D

Explanation:

For A, the rollercoaster will either be accelerating or have reached its terminal velocity.

B is ambiguous. A plane could cut its engines and glide, so thereby decelerate (due to drag) while moving in a straight line. However, the implication is that is hasn't so we should probably discount this

C A bird taking off would be increasing its velocity so will be accelerating

D - a car reduces it velocity to nil when approaching a red light so it will be decelerating