What is the definition of acceleration?The change in speedThe change in velocityThe change in velocity divided by the time during which the change occursThe change in velocity multiplied by the time of change

Sure, let's break down the options step by step to determine the correct definition of acceleration.

1. The change in speed:

   • Speed is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude and no direction. Acceleration, however, is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. Therefore, acceleration cannot be defined simply as the change in speed.

2. The change in velocity:

   • Velocity is a vector quantity, meaning it includes both speed and direction. While acceleration involves changes in velocity, this definition is incomplete because it does not account for the time over which the change occurs.

3. The change in velocity divided by the time during which the change occurs:

   • This is the correct definition of acceleration. Acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes with respect to time. Mathematically, it is expressed as: $\text{Acceleration} = \frac{\text{Change in Velocity}}{\text{Time}}$

4. The change in velocity multiplied by the time of change:

   • This is incorrect because multiplying the change in velocity by the time does not give the rate of change of velocity. Instead, it would give a quantity with different units and meaning.

Therefore, the correct definition of acceleration is: The change in velocity divided by the time during which the change occurs.