How can an object be accelerating if it does not change in speed?

Speed is a scalar quantity, meaning that it only has a magnitude. Acceleration is a vector quantity, meaning that it has a magnitude and a direction. Velocity is the vector quantity equivalent of speed, as it has both magnitude and direction. Acceleration is dependent on velocity, rather than speed. Therefore, the object can be accelerating if it is changing direction without changing it's speed.

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Answered by Chantelle C. Physics tutor

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