What term describes the rate at which velocity increases?

The rate at which velocity increases is termed acceleration. Acceleration refers to the change in velocity over time, measuring how quickly an object increases its speed or changes direction. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, and it is commonly expressed in units like meters per second squared (m/s²).

Understanding acceleration is vital, especially in the context of gas turbine systems, where changes in the speed of components, such as the turbine blades, can significantly impact performance and efficiency.

The other terms, while related to motion, do not specifically describe the rate of increase of velocity. Speed indicates how fast an object is moving but does not provide information about changes in that speed. Momentum refers to the product of an object's mass and its velocity, representing the quantity of motion an object has, and force is the interaction that causes an object to change its motion. Thus, acceleration is the precise term used to represent the increase in velocity over time.